University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Women's Basketball Adds Junior College Product
4/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss women's basketball head coach Joye Lee-McNelis announced the signing of Shayla Wilson of Tampa, Fla., to a National Letter of Intent and grant-in-aid scholarship for the 2015-16 academic year.
"We are happy to have Shayla join our Lady Eagle program," McNelis said. "She bring depth to our post position. Shayla was MVP of the Southern Conference in Florida. She bring experience of playing in a competitive junior college league. Shayla's skill set brings an inside, outside player that gives us an added dimension. Shayla is a good student wanting to pursue a degree in criminal justice and eventually become a lawyer. She is another piece of the puzzle we need to fill the void of seniors Tamara Jones and Voche' Martin."
Wilson, a 6-1 post player, averaged 17.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.5 steals per game at St. Petersburg College for Coach Denisha Davidson. She was named the Southern Conference Player of the Year while earning first team all-conference honors. Wilson also earned FCSAA all-region accolades. She was named NJCAA National Player of the Week multiple times during the season.
Wilson prepped at Jefferson High School where she finished her career with over 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds, becoming Jefferson's all-time leading scorer and rebounder. She help Jefferson to Hillsborough County District titles in all four years and a Regional title as a sophomore. She was named First-Team All-District selection as a senior and was a three-time Second-Team All-District selection. She received All-Region honorable mention distinction as a freshman and was selected to the Hillsborough County All-Star Team and the FABC All-Star Team. She also was named to the All-Academic Team and was a Scholar-Athlete.
"I chose Southern Miss because this was the place where my heart told me I belonged," said Wilson. "My personality matches the team and vice versa. I knew if I came here, I would be truly happy."
