Men’s basketball head coach Jamion Christian tested positive for COVID-19 Tuesday, leading the program to push back its two upcoming games and pause team activities, Christian and the team announced Tuesday.
Christian said in a tweet that he experienced “slight” symptoms Monday and “immediately” removed himself from the team. He said he’s currently feeling “well” and will continue to isolate himself and follow public health recommendations until he is cleared.
“2020-21 has been an unrelenting year for all us, including those who are participating across the country in competition,” Christian said in the tweet. “I love and commend my team on their ability to stay connected through not only this pandemic, but also a troubling time in our country that has affected the city we call home. I stand proud beside these guys each day.”
Individuals with a positive COVID-19 test will quarantine for 10 days and can return to the team if they do not test positive and do not exhibit symptoms during daily monitoring, according to the NCAA’s updated COVID-19 resocialization plan.
The team will postpone games against Dayton and Rhode Island, slated for Wednesday and Sunday, respectively, the team’s release states.
The release adds that all Tier 1 personnel – which includes student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers, physical therapists, medical staff, equipment staff and officials – are undergoing additional COVID-19 testing and contact tracing. Until those measures are complete, all program activity will be halted, according to the release.
The pause marks the team’s second COVID-19-related break. Earlier this month, a staff member in the men’s basketball traveling party tested positive for the virus, postponing the scheduled game against St. Bonaventure. After additional testing and contact tracing, the team was back in action the following day.
The team also needed to postpone a game earlier this month after Mayor Muriel Bowser instituted a D.C.-wide curfew the day a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol.
With the two additional postponements, the Atlantic 10 will now need to reschedule four of GW’s conference matchups.
“For us, these stops have seen even greater challenges than I could’ve imagined as we’ve encountered this virus and upheaval in the city of D.C.,” Christian said. “I’m encouraged by our team’s relentlessness and ability to embrace each challenge and keep pushing forward.”
