Hoops Feature: Shamar Givance

At 5-10, senior guard Shamar Givance isn’t the tallest player on the court by any means. But what he lacks in size, he makes up for in abilities and toughness, with that toughness component being something he’s prided himself on since he was young.

“I’ve had that (toughness) since my childhood growing up,” Givance said. “My dad always told me to be tough just knowing that I’d be the shortest guy on the team. I’ve got to have an advantage over others just by being a gritty and strong guard.”

Evidence of that toughness has come in the form of him never missing a game in his entire collegiate career, although there was some doubt heading into the contest at FIU on Feb. 23. Givance

had sustained a thigh contusion earlier in the week at practice, and simply moving was challenging, let alone being able to do everything necessary to be successful on the court.

He rehabbed with the Miners’ certified athletic trainer and de- cided to give it a go. Not only was he able to play, Givance turned in one of the best performances in his entire career. He paced the Miners in scoring (season-best 22 points), rebounds (eight), assists (career-high tying 10) and steals (four) while logging all 40 min- utes of action, coming up just two boards shy of posting the third triple-double in program history.

“It meant a lot (to play that way),” Givance said. “That’s my identity, to be a tough guard. Knowing that it shows who I am as a person. It was just heart and always fighting for everything.”

While Givance has turned heads with his play on the court, his performance in the classroom has been astounding. He boasts a perfect 4.0 GPA while pursuing his master’s degree in leadership studies and was recently named to the College Sports Communicators’ Academic All-District men’s basketball team. That is an area of pride for the Toronto native.

“It means a lot to succeed in the classroom,” Givance said. “It’s good to know that there’s more than just basketball. Being (successful) in the academic part of it, knowing you have something behind (basketball). One day the ball is going to stop bouncing, and I have something to look forward to. I’m happy I was able do that (receive the honor).”

Givance, had just one year of eligibility left when he transferred to UTEP, and he is making the most of it. He tops the team in assists per game (4.1-third C-USA), free-throw percentage-73.3 (min. 100 FTA), playing time (32.9-eighth C-USA) and steals per game (2.03-third C-USA/35th NCAA) while rating second in scoring (10.6 ppg). He has shown the ability for clutch play, making two free throws with 3.0 seconds left to help lift UTEP to a 68-67 OT win against CSUB on Nov. 23. He also nailed a go-ahead 3-pointer with four seconds left in regulation at UAB (Dec. 29). before the Miners eventually fell in double overtime. Recently, he was 9-10 at the charity strip in the final minute to ice the win at FIU on Feb. 23.

He is focused on the stretch run for the Miners but does aspire of continuing his career.

“I want to hopefully play overseas and sign with an agent once the season is over,” Givance said. “I want to play somewhere where there’s a great living, so like Sweden, Greece or Italy would be a great place to live.”

Givance first visited El Paso in December of 2021 with a couple of friends of his who are from the Sun City, and then came back again after his year was completed in Evansville. He connected well with the coaching staff and decided UTEP was the right fit for him.

“When I came back on my visit, I related to Coach Golding,” Givance said. “He is a genuine person, and I felt like it was a perfect fit for me.”

Givance has gotten better continually as the season has worn on but is quick to credit others for that.

“It’s great (to improve throughout the season),” Givance said. “I give credit to Coach Golding, the staff, and my teammates for giving me confidence. Knowing they look for me (to succeed) and them being there all year has been a key for me.”

He has a lot of things he does well but believes his role in running the point is where he thrives most.

“Being able to facilitate, get into the paint and create for others (is great),” Givance said. “Having that ability to create for others and have them happy to play with me.” There’s been a lot of people along the way who have supported Givance, but he says the efforts of Yoos Sahlia have gone a long way.

“He’s my mentor in Toronto,” Givance said. “He’s been helping me throughout my whole basketball career, all the way since AAU. He helped me go to prep school in the USA and to go to Evansville and then come here (to UTEP) as well. I trust him, and he’s been a great mentor for me.”

One of Givance’s favorite memories has been playing in the Don Haskins Center, where the Miners are once again leading the league in attendance.

“It’s great and has a great atmosphere with the fans,” Givance said. “El Paso is a great supportive city. Just to know they’re always out there to have our back since we’re trying to win every game.”

An area Givance has grown in this year has been in taking on a more active role as a leader.

“I’ve definitely tried to develop myself as a leader and Coach Golding has helped with that,” Givance said. “Me being the only senior on the team, I try to get everyone involved and build relationships with everybody.”

He’s certainly done that and has made quite the imprint on the program and city in his only season with the Orange and Blue.