LAURINBURG — Recent Scotland High School graduate Khasiya Sellers got the best of both worlds when she signed her letter of intent to play basketball for St. Andrews University — she can stay close to home and continue her career on the courts.
Sellers was joined by her family, Lady Scots head coach Mallarie Snow and St. Andrews head coach Yvette Sparks and assistant coach Kelsey Long on Wednesday for her signing.
“(St. Andrews) is local, if I go far off I would be home sick, so I’m glad that I chose a local place where I can be close to home,” Sellers said.
The former Lady Scot was a two-time all Southeastern Conference player as she led her team with 13.1 rebounds per game and was second in the conference with 4.7 blocks her game. Sellers was third in the SEC during her senior campaign with 12.2 points per game.
Her hard work and leadership on the court earned her the MVP award from coach Snow at the end of the season. Snow was Sellers coach for her final season as a Lady Scot and is happy to see her take her talents to the collegiate level.
“The biggest goal for me as a coach is always to have them continue their education, if basketball is their avenue or alleyway for them to do that — what greater way. She is a tremendous talent on the court, but she is also a good student-athlete and I’m very proud of her.”
The incoming freshman will be living on campus while she pursues a degree in sports management. Sellers eventually wants to have a career as a high school basketball coach.
“I want to be around the sports life forever,” she said. “I want to be a coach in high school somewhere around here.”
Even as a little kid, Sellers said she was determined to play basketball in college and feels blessed to see that dream become a reality.
“I’m blessed to be able to play college ball,” she said. “I have to thank my teammates, my mom and dad and my coach, of course. It’s really a blessing.”
Sellers will begin her collegiate career under St. Andrews third-year head coach Yvette Sparks. The Lady Knights finished their 2016-17 season with a 5-23 overall record and 2-20 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. The St. Andrews women’s team was eliminated in the first round of the AAC Tournament by Tennessee Wesleyan, 75-58.
The idea of being a full-time student and athlete was nerve racking to Sellers, but she’s confident she’ll be up to the challenge.
“I know it’s going to be stressful, but I think I can handle it,” she said. “I think I’m going to be comfortable in the program. I haven’t got to meet any of the players in person yet, but we’ve been texting back and forth.”
The St. Andrews women’s basketball team opens its 2017-18 season at home on Nov. 10 against Bluefield State College.
Amber Hatten can be reached at 910-506-3170.
