The Big Ten Freshman of the Year will no longer take part in Maryland’s future.
Destiny Slocum is among 3 Maryland players who intend to transfer, according to an announcement from the school on Tuesday. The others are Kiah Gillespie and Jenna Staiti, but Slocum’s departure is the most jarring considering the impression she imbued in just one season.
“I want to thank my teammates and coaches and all the fans for their support this season. I’ve put a lot of thought and prayer into this decision,” Slocum said in a statement.
Slocum dazzled the competition all season, helping the Terrapins reach the Sweet 16 in this year’s NCAA tournament. She ranked second in the Big Ten in assists at 6.0 per game, and her scoring average of 11.5 per game only stood to grow. Those figures include a stat line of 23 points and 7 assists in a duel with UConn.
Gillespie and Staiti didn’t put up gaudy numbers for Maryland, but their withdrawal leaves some holes in the team’s depth. Combined with Slocum’s exodus, Maryland will enter next season without their top three scorers; Brionna Jones and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough completed their eligibility as seniors and will take part in the WNBA Draft. The Terrapins have dominated the Big Ten since their arrival three years ago, winning three conference tournaments, but their front-runner status is no longer certain.
Arguably, the last transfer of this magnitude was three years ago, when Diamond DeShields moved from North Carolina to Tennessee. Wherever Slocum goes will significantly shift the balance of power in women’s college hoops.