In a move that shocked the basketball world, Tennessee announced that Diamond DeShields, the team’s leading scorer from last season, will be leaving the program immediately to pursue a professional career.
“Diamond has opted to forego her final collegiate season,” Tennessee head coach Holly Warlick said in a school release. “She earned a degree from UT and now has a chance to play professionally.”
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Of course, that was also true back in the spring, when DeShields could have opted into the 2017 WNBA Draft, where it was expected she’d be in the running for the top overall pick. Instead, DeShields chose to return, explaining her reasons in a lengthy Instagram post.
The do-it-all wing finishes her collegiate career short of the national title she sought, but certainly will not lack for professional options, while she should remain in the conversation for a 2018 first round pick.
She previously transferred to Tennessee after her freshman year at North Carolina, spending two seasons in Knoxville. In her final season with the Lady Vols, she averaged 17.4 points per game, shooting 42.3 percent from the field, while posting block and steal percentages of 2.4 percent and 2.3 percent respectively, reflecting her diversified defensive game.
DeShields’ departure, on the heels of Te’a Cooper transferring to South Carolina, leaves Warlick with a depleted roster, though her freshman class is promising.
“I was surprised when she didn’t go pro last April,” Maria Cornelius, who has covered the Lady Vols for many years, told The Summitt. “While this is surprising based on the letter she wrote about staying, I think Te’a having to leave and wanting to earn a living were factors. I think this is what should have happened last spring.”
Meanwhile, Jimmy Hyams reported that Cooper transferred in part because she faced disciplinary action over a fight with a teammate. Asked by USA Today if she knew why DeShields is leaving, Warlick responded, “She didn’t give me a reason, just that she was going.” Later Friday, she tweeted out this cryptic message:
DeShields is active on both Twitter and Instagram, but has yet to comment or send out an emoji about her decision.