Junior guard Sydney Shaw detailed the adjustment of transferring from Auburn to West Virginia.
Shaw was Auburn’s leading three-point shooter last year, with a 33% three-point percentage, averaging 6.6 points and 2.5 rebounds. She transferred to WVU this offseason after wanting a change.
“The kid has a great ability to score the basketball, she has consistently been our best shooter through the summer, through the fall, through the scrimmages,” West Virginia women’s basketball head coach Mark Kellogg said of Shaw.
The Mountaineers believe that Shaw can bring some firepower to the offense by shooting the ball at a high clip while also playing solid defense, which would help improve an already great defense for WVU.
“Being here does force you to be a smart basketball player, not just relying on athleticism or instinct; I think that my understanding of the game has grown a lot since being here,” Shaw said.
Shaw is coming into a team that had a top defense in the country a year ago, Kellogg believes that one aspect of her game that can improve is her defense.
“From the first time that I signed up here, I think I have come a long way, defense has become more fun for me,” Shaw said.
The No. 16-ranked Mountaineers have high expectations this year and big aspirations after losing in the second round of the NCAA tournament last season.
“They were asking a lot of me, and that’s what I asked for,” Shaw said.
The Mountaineers will kick off their season next Tuesday, Nov. 5 when they host Towson at home at 7 pm EST. The game can be streamed on ESPN+.
