Guard Destiny Slocum will transfer from the Maryland women’s basketball team along with two other players, the school announced Tuesday.
Coach Brenda Frese also granted freshman center Jenna Staiti and sophomore forward Kiah Gillespie permission to transfer.
“We would like to thank these three student-athletes for their hard work during their careers at Maryland,” Frese said in a release. “We appreciate their contributions to our program.”
Slocum started at point guard in all but one game her rookie campaign, averaging 11.5 points (third-highest on the team) and dishing six assists per game, the most of any freshman in the country.
— Destiny Slocum (@DestinySlocum24) April 4, 2017
The Meridian, Idaho, native set freshman team records in 3-pointers (71) and assists (204), earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year and was named National Freshman of the Year on Saturday by the Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association.
Slocum’s departure, along with the graduation of guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough and center Brionna Jones, means Maryland is losing three starters and its top three scorers from this season.
“I’m grateful for my time at Maryland and the opportunity,” Slocum said in a release. “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. I’ve talked with my family and Coach B a great deal and have decided to continue my college career elsewhere.”
Staiti is a 6-foot-6 center out of Cumming, Georgia, who was a five-star recruit according to ESPN and joined Slocum in last year’s No. 1-ranked recruiting class.
Staiti played in just nine conference games as a freshman and averaged 5.6 minutes. She scored 3.0 points per game.
“I would like to thank Coach B for the opportunity to get to play for a great coach like she is,” Staiti said in a release. “I have made a decision, due to personal family issues, that being closer to home is in the best interests of our family.”
Gillespie’s playing time decreased as a sophomore. The Meriden, Connecticut, native didn’t play in three of the Terps’ 35 games and never started after doing so nine times last year. She played just 9.0 minutes per game this year and averaged 4.1 points.
“During these past two years, I have learned so much and have developed great bonds that go beyond basketball,” Gillespie said in a release. “I truly feel blessed to have had this opportunity. It pains me to leave, but I feel that it is best for me and my future to do so at this time.”