Diamond Deshields to transfer from UNC to ?

M

Moooooo

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Mike Flynnþ@MikeFlynn8262h Calls galore on @DDeShields23 transfer w 5 in rumor mix @LadyVol_Hoops @GamecockWBB @TexasWBB @UKHoopCats @UGA_WBB
 
Strange announcement. Wonder what's up? UNC would have easily been a Top 5 team next year if she hadn't left.
 
This would be a HUGE get for KA and company if they could pull this off. It seems like a long way off, but with her having to sit out this year and allowing Ariel and Brooke to get a year under their belts, but when she does play that following year we would have one of, if not THE best backcourt in the nation. Wouldnt be surpised to see her end up at USC with the recruiting tear that Dawn Staley has been on, but I would love to have her here.
 
Any with an ear to the ground on this? Theres not much to see right now if she were to take a visit, but the same could be said for anywhere else too. Just hoping that she gives Austin a chance to sell itself
 
Frankly, it seems a little strange. It will be interesting to know the real story. As far as I know, she has yet to say why she is leaving North Carolina. Kids have a right to leave when they are unhappy, but there's something about this that seems very different from the usual transfer. Is she a prima donna? Does she want to go make money in the pros? Or was she just unhappy for personal reasons? I don't know, and she may be a wonderful person; but it's so extraordinary for a national freshman of the year--on a team destined for the final four--to leave without warning...I'm dying to hear her reason for it.
 
As much as every WBB fan wants to know, I would not be surprised if Diamond doesn't disclose her reasons for transferring. We can only wish she made the best decision for herself. Hope she ends up in Austin!

Seattle
 
According to Voepel's article on ESPN, she seems to think that DD was potentially interested in playing on a bigger stage. While its unheard of any seems to be a somewhat unpopular statement in the world of WBB. I on the other hand think its fantastic for the game and more importantly, its great for OUR universities chance at getting her here.

Why is it fantasic for the game? How would we expect our game to grow if we dont have players willing and able to give the "casual" fan a reason to stick around? We may not want to do it, but a simple fact is that good fundamental basketball isnt enough. We have to give the game an added flare. I think we should cultivate some of the angles of the games where coaches have a dislike for eachother, things like that make people watch who dont otherwise care. And hopefully the good bball will make them stay.

Now why is DD's crave for more attention good for us? Everything is always bigger in Texas, look at the larger than life images created for O Sims, B Griner, D. Adams, T Jackson etc. And no other school can promise to have ALL of your games nationally televised! You want to be a household name? Cmon down to Austin and let us put you in every house.
 
Why would DD list Texas if we're never seriously considered? I'm no "Debbie Downer"; Texas offers an outstanding education and a compelling and tradition-based forward looking program with lots of upside potential.

Whether we have the "best fans" is debatable given the low attendance factor and the general lack of cohesion of this program's fans.

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It wasn't just homesickness.

DeShields's mom talks for first time about why Diamond is leaving UNC Apr. 24, 2014 @ 09:45 PM



Tisha DeShields said there wasn’t "some huge, dramatic” reason or “one identifying factor” why her daughter, Diamond DeShields, is transferring from North Carolina after scoring an ACC freshman record 648 points.

Instead, Tisha DeShields said Thursday that it was a combination of things that caused DeShields to make the shocking decision to leave UNC after being named the national freshman of the year and leading the Tar Heels to the Elite Eight.

“It’s tough to walk away when you have accumulated so many accolades and awards and things of that nature,” said Tisha, who spoke publicly for the first time since Diamond’s decision was announced last week. “Some people, that’s all they aspire to do, is go to college and achieve these goals. But for Diamond, it’s bigger than basketball. That’s in a nutshell. She’s looking for a well-rounded experience, in a sense.

“She did extremely well on the court, as her numbers proved. It was a little bit of everything. When you go to college, it’s supposed to be the best time of your life.”

Tisha said that Diamond didn’t make a last-minute decision. Instead, her daughter had been praying about it and struggled with the choice the entire year. The Norcross, Georgia native told UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell of her final decision to transfer in an emotional meeting after the season that Tisha attended.

Hatchell, who missed the entire season while undergoing chemotherapy treatments for leukemia, said last week that she did not “know or understand” why her star player was leaving. Tisha said she understood why Hatchell would feel that way, and that it wasn’t anything personal with the Hall of Fame coach, who the family will continue to love and support.

“Diamond just needs different things. And sometimes you have to allow yourself to get in that environment to see if your needs are going to be fully met,” Tisha said. “We’re all changing and growing and changing our minds. Sometimes I feel like people can be a little unfair trying to hold an 18-year-old to a standard that they themselves don’t live by. She’s still growing and this is just part of her maturation process.

“She did her best and she stuck it out and she gave it everything she had in hopes that things would work together, so she can honestly say ‘I gave it the best I had, and it’s still not going to work for me.’”

Diamond also acknowledged her decision to leave for the first time on Thursday through a message she posted on Twitter. Though she didn’t specify why she was leaving, she thanked her supporters at UNC and said that she wouldn’t be in touch with other schools until she completed her academic year. The last day of classes at UNC is Friday.

DeShields is believed to be the first women’s basketball player to transfer after being named freshman of the year.

“It’s a simple case of a square peg in a round hole,” Tisha said. “There’s nothing wrong with the square peg and there’s nothing wrong with the round hole. Sometimes they just don’t fit.”
 
Well if shes looking for the "time of her life" and a "well rounded experience" none of the potential schools can even compete with us in those areas. So if she actually visits Austin, I like our chances.
 
yeah, that release by her mother does make things a bit more interesting. Can't beat Austin for some of those things. The crowds and fan involvement will come. They are just not here right now.

Gotta admit that DD comes across as a very mature young lady. She certainly is a very talented player.
 
Looks like Texas is making a play for Diamond. Karen has started following her on twitter. Travis Mays was already following her. This would be a huge get and Karen's first true ou-of-state recruiting splash as head coach.
 
To be in the mix for this remarkable player is a testament to the Coach, staff and program. Without question a bright ray of sunshine for Texas.

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Seattle, to be fair Texas was ALWAYS in the mix regarless of the coach just for the simple fact that we are Texas. Now I think she's one of the great recruiters the game has to offer so im anxious to see if that translates into truly elite caliber athletes outside of the state of Texas.
 
The program has a proud history but 1986 was a long time ago. Texas is always a big name, but our WBB program has lost its luster since 2003. The future looks great and this is what makes this program worthy of national relevance, again. Win and a whole new era begins.

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we get a chance to see her in Austin in what could be her last year in college--she will have a chance to go pro after her junior year as the class she came in with will be graduating.
 
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