The University of South Carolina Women’s Basketball Program was dealt a huge blow yesterday when their star Center Kelsey Bone decided to announce she is leaving Coach Dawn Staley’s program.
Bone was a former McDonald’s All-American who surprised many by signing with USC as one of the top recruits in the nation in 2009 and now she does just that same by surprising many with the choice to leave after a successful year.
The 6-foot-5, Houston native was named SEC Newcomer of the Year and was an all-conference second-team selection in 2009-10 after averaging 14 points and a league-high 9.2 rebounds per game.
Bone was the centerpiece of a solid turnaround in Staley’s second season at the helm. After going 10-18 overall, 2-12 in SEC play in 2008-09 without Bone, USC improved to 14-15, 7-9 with her.
Bone has not given any indication where she will transfer to but it will not be a SEC school as Staley would not grant that, which is smart. Bone being from the Texas area may mean a look at a school closer to home.
Hate to see this happen to Coach Staley but I am sure this will only making the team/program stronger over time. Good luck to Ms. Bone in life.
