Haitian Garifuna Men’s College Basketball Player, Joe Toussaint, Ends Men’s College Basketball Career in 2024 March Madness Tournament Game
Mr. Toussaint’s Heart, Talent, Grit, Competitiveness and Leadership were on Display in this Game and throughout The Entire Season
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Copyright 2024 by Teofilo Colon Jr for Being Garifuna. All Rights Reserved.
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — On Thursday, March 21st 2024, at PPG Paints Arena, in the First Round of The 2024 March Madness Division 1 Men’s College Basketball Tournament Game, Mr. Joe Toussaint led his Texas Tech Red Raiders team in a game against N.C. State.
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Photo of Joe Toussaint after scoring the first 2 points for Texas Tech in their March Madness Tournament College Basketball Game against NC State
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Despite their best efforts, The Texas Tech Red Raiders were not able to defeat N.C. State. Joe Toussaint, a Guard, led all the Texas Tech Basketball Players in scoring with 16 points. He also had 3 Rebounds and 3 Assists.
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However, Texas Tech only made 7 out of 31 Three Point Attempts and were not able to keep up with N.C. State in the second half of the basketball game. N.C. State beat Texas Tech 80 to 67.
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At the Press Conference after the game, Head Coach Grant McCasland expressed appreciation for his two Seniors, Joe Toussaint and Warren Washington.
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“I’m so thankful for Joe Toussaint and Warren Washington, Two guys that trusted us and literally gave everything that they had. There’s nothing else these guys could give more to give our program a chance to compete for a national championship…I’m so thankful for these two seniors who led us all year long…these guys set a standard for how we want to compete everyday.”
Texas Tech Head Coach, Mr. Grant McCasland
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In talking about Joe Toussaint specifically, Coach McCasland added,
“Joe’s grit and fight. (He) just never missed a practice, he never missed a game, he was always out there, competing. He never stopped playing hard. I thought that jump ball on the sidelines, where he was trying to wrestle it away, just I think typified who Joe was.” – Texas Tech Head Coach, Mr. Grant McCasland
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Remembering Joe Toussaint’s performance over the past season, Coach McCasland explained, “I think back to the Kansas State game,where he had that layup in the paint to give us the win, he just willed us to so many things positively and tonight didn’t shoot it great but his competitiveness no matter the time or the score was always consistent.” — Coach Grant McCasland
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But wait, there’s more that Coach McCasland had to say about his guard, Joe Toussaint. “I just love going into these games knowing that you got a point guard that’s tough and will compete every possession and guard. And I thought he did a solid job on DJ Horne just making it hard on him.”
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A reporter asked Guard Joe Toussaint, “How do you want to be remembered for your time in a Red Raider Uniform?”
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“We brought a Team that was dead last in the Big 12 last year, to the Tournament. The coaching staff, they gave us a chance to go to the Sweet 16 if we would have won the game.” — Texas Tech Guard, Joe Toussaint
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“I feel like, people can take it how they want. But we know in the locker room, what we did. We know we’re always together, we always carried each other no matter what.” — Texas Tech Guard, Joe Toussaint
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“So honestly, it doesn’t really matter to me what people think about us in this group. We know what we did. We know what we accomplished this year.” — Texas Tech Guard, Joe Toussaint.
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History and Timeline of Joe Toussaint March Madness Division 1 Men’s College Basketball Tournament Experience.
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In 2020, Joe Toussaint played for The University of Iowa. Sadly, the entire 2020 March Madness Division 1 Men’s College Basketball Tournament was canceled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
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In 2021, Joe Toussaint played for an University of Iowa team that defeated Grand Canyon University 86 to 74 in the first round game at The Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis, Indiana. In Eleven Minutes, he scored 5 Points, passed for 2 Assists and grabbed 1 Rebound. In the second game, Iowa lost to Oregon University 95 to 80 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. In Thirteen minutes, Joe Toussaint scored 5 Points, passed for 4 Assists and grabbed 2 Rebounds.
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In 2022, Joe Toussaint played for an University of Iowa team that lost to Richmond 67 to 63 at Keybank Center in Buffalo, New York. In 13 Minutes, he scored 2 Points, passed 1 Assist and grabbed 1 Rebound.
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In 2023, Joe Toussaint played for a West Virginia University team that lost to Maryland University 67 to 65 at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. In 26 Minutes of play, Joe Toussaint scored 9 Points, Grabbed 3 Rebounds and passed for 1 Assist.
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Mr. Joe Toussaint has been fortunate in that he has played in the March Madness Division 1 Men’s College Basketball Tournament in four out of five years of eligibility.
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Don’t forget, during his Freshman year of 2019-2020, The entire 2020 March Madness Division 1 Men’s College Basketball Tournament was canceled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
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There is a chance that Mr. Joe Toussaint could have played in the March Madness Tournament each and every year of eligibility, provided that the teams he played on qualified for the Tournament.
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Recently, Mr. Joe Toussaint has released a highlight video showing his career playing for the Texas Tech Red Raiders this past season. It is below.
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Mr. Joe Toussaint also released a statement talking about the end of his college basketball career. Here it is below.
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Joe Toussaint Statement on End of Men’s College Basketball Career
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The statement reads, “To ending my college career, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and blessing. To have had the opportunity to play basketball at The University of Iowa, West Virginia University and Texas Tech University has been nothing short of a dream come true.”
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“Firstly, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the coaches, teammates and staff at each of these institutions. Their support, guidance, and belief in my abilities have been instrumental in shaping me not only as a player but as a person. Each university holds a special place in my heart, and I am forever grateful for the experiences and memories forged on the court and beyond.”
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“The journey to this moment has been filled with challenges and triumphs, but through it all, I have remained steadfast in my pursuit of excellence. I acknowledge the blessings bestowed upon me, for I am aware that none of this would have been possible without the grace of God and the unwavering support of my family and loved ones.”
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“As I look ahead to the next chapter of my journey, I am filled with excitement and anticipation. The dream of playing in the NBA has been a driving force behind every early morning practice, every late-night workout, and every sacrifice along the way. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to pursue this dream, and I will approach it with the same level of dedication, determination, and passion that has brought me to this point.”
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“In closing, I want to express my deepest appreciation to the fans who have cheered me on from the stands, the communities that have embraced me as one of their own, and the countless individuals who have played a role, however small, in shaping my journey.”
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“I am truly blessed beyond measure, and I will carry the lessons learned and memories made with me for a lifetime. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for allowing me to live out my dreams on the hardwood. The best is yet to come.”
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“Sincerely, Tou“
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Joe Toussaint is a 23 Year Old, 6 Foot Tall Guard from The Bronx. He is of Haitian and Honduran Garifuna Heritage. He went to Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, where he became the school’s all-time leading scorer. Joe Toussaint was named a Finalist for The 2019 Mr. Basketball Award in New York.
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