The Miami Dade College men’s basketball team spent much of the 2025–26 season fighting two opponents — the one across from them and the one on the injury report.
But despite that, the Sharks finished the season with an 17–14 overall record, an 8–8 mark in conference play.
They qualified for the Florida College System Activities Association tournament in Niceville, Florida, losing in the quarterfinals to Northwest Florida State College, 64-61, on March 11.
Despite some ups and downs, belief remained steady inside the MDC locker room this season.
At the center of that resilience was sophomore forward David Verstraeten, whose season mirrored the team’s adversity.
“At the start of the season, I actually partially tore a ligament in my left foot that kept me out for two, three weeks,” Verstraeten said. “After seeing the team struggle here and there because you don’t have size that much, it was pretty clear to me that it was an immediate response for me to get back on the court and try to get the team to win.”
Antwerp Anchor
The Antwerp, Belgium native didn’t grow up dreaming of basketball. He was a soccer player first. But his size and physicality eventually led him to the hardwood.
“I was always the tallest, the biggest, the fastest,” he said. “When I picked up a basketball, I noticed everybody was basically just like me in this sport. That’s where the love started coming in.”
He competed in Belgium from 2022–2023, earning experience in the FIBA U18 European Championship Division B before continuing his development in Spain from 2024–2025 at Badajoz Academy. During that stretch, he drew attention from programs in the United States. However, visa delays complicated and ultimately slowed his recruitment process.
Miami Dade College ultimately became the opportunity that aligned.
This season, his first with the Sharks, the 6-foot-7 forward appeared in 26 games, averaging 14.2 points per game on 51 % shooting and 7.2 rebounds per contest. With injuries forcing role adjustments, he was tasked with scoring, rebounding and guarding opposing post
“It’s been one of those years. Injuries have really derailed us,” said Sharks Head Coach Jorge Fernandez. “We’ve been playing with seven, eight guys. Haven’t been able to practice five-on-five in a while. But to their credit, the guys haven’t given up. They’ve competed.”
After missing five games earlier this season due to a partial tear in his left foot, his teammates saw what Verstraeten added to the squad upon his return.
Three games after returning, he scored more than 30 points in back-to-back wins. On Dec. 16 versus Pasco Hernando State College, Verstraeten scored 30 points and had seven rebounds, four steals and three blocks. The following day, versus Florida Coastal Prep he pitched in another dominant performance, scoring 33 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
“He’s a very great guy on and off the court. He’s very impactful,” said shooting guard Anthony Breland. “When he came back, he wanted to get better. He’s always going to the gym.”
Missing Pieces
In addition to Verstraeten’s injury, the Sharks were without shooting guard Ernesto Rodriguez, who averaged 13 points per game in 18 appearances, before suffering a shoulder injury that sidelined him for more than a week toward the end of the season. He also missed some games in December and January.
Breland, the Sharks’ leading scorer, also played through adversity. Despite battling turf toe since early February, he’s averaging 17.8 points per game, shooting 52.7% from the field and 40.3% from three-point range.
With multiple contributors in and out of the lineup, team roles shifted quickly. Verstraeten admitted that early in his return, he tried to force his offense.
“When I was out, I was thinking I needed to come back and score because that’s my role,” he said. “But I realized I was forcing too much. I got to get my teammates involved.”
That adjustment sparked an improved offensive rhythm for the Sharks.
Fernandez believes that balance could be key as Verstraeten prepares for his sophomore campaign this offseason.
“We’ve asked him to be a little more aggressive offensively,” Fernandez said. “He’s a willing passer, but there are times we need him to score. He’s very talented.”
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