In an announcement that surprised many observers, talented Tennessee forward Diamond DeShields announced via Instagram that she will be returning to school for her senior season, delaying her entry into the WNBA.
DeShields wrote at length about her career to this point, speaking about her frustration over both her time at North Carolina and the lack of a national championship at Tennessee.
“My heart smiles now because I see this as a second chance; a chance to do things the right way, and be the example that I never had,” DeShields wrote.
Aware of the length of her preamble, DeShields went on to add: “I’m sure at this point you guys are thinking ‘just say it already’ OKAY!!!!!!!! I will forgo the WNBA draft to finish my senior year at UT. Developing my game further and playing for championship(s) are always part of the ideal plan, but giving these four young ladies an opportunity to be themselves, make mistakes, and still have the love they need and deserve is first priority,” she wrote, referring to her younger teammates.
As recently as Friday, a WNBA talent evaluator repeated a common belief throughout the league: that if DeShields had entered the draft, she’d have been the likely number one overall pick.
But DeShields has never conformed to expectations.
“I think everyone is stunned,” longtime Tennessee Lady Vols reporter Maria Cornelius told The Summitt Saturday night. “Remember what I said. Whatever you expect Diamond to do, it’s the opposite.”
With DeShields and fellow potential early entry candidate Mercedes Russell returning to school, Tennessee becomes a potential national title contender, likely to be among the highest-ranked teams preseason in 2017-18, with a chance to avenge this year’s loss to Louisville in the NCAA Tournament.
“That second round loss is not how Diamond wanted her Tennessee career to end,” Cornelius said. “The big question? Does the return of Diamond and Mercedes, with the addition of the four freshmen solve the vexing issue of inconsistency? Will it be the Lady Vols who beat three Final Four teams or lost twice to Alabama? Nobody knows yet, but Holly Warlick now has what she didn’t have last season—options.”
So did DeShields. And the option she chose was Tennessee.