Averett University Athletics

James Contreras Jr. was a standout on the Averett men's basketball team from 2014-18. The 2017-18 USA South Athletic Conference Player of the Year and was named the D3hoops.com South Region Player of the Year and Virginia Sports Information Directors State Player of the Year as a senior. He was selected to the National Association of Basketball Coaches Division III All-South District First Team and the D3hoops.com All-Region First Team. He also was chosen to play in the 2018 Reese's Division III College All-Star Game. Contreras was named to the USA South First Team in each of his final two seasons and VaSID All-State Team once.

Contreras surpassed the 1,000-point milestone, finishing with 1,520 career points — which ranked third all-time in program history. He averaged 14.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 106 career games, including 23.6 points per game during his senior season. He set the program single-game records for points (42) and made free throws (19) and holds the season record for free throws made (188) and attempted (228). He's the only Cougar to score 40 or more points in a single game twice during his career. Contreras helped the Cougars win two regular season titles during his four seasons.

After his senior year, the native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, received Averett's Dr. Tommy Foster Male Student-Athlete of the Year award. Off the court, Contreras earned USA South Academic All-Conference honors multiple times.

Contreras was inducted into the Averett Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 14, 2023.