Nov. 19, 2014

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina head women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley announced that Shay Colley (Brampton, Ontario) has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University and play for the Gamecocks. Colley will have four years of eligibility beginning with the 2015-16 academic year.

“We welcome Shay to our Gamecock family,” Staley said. “She has had an outstanding high school career along with her Canadian national team experience. She brings instant scoring to our team, but equally important is her defensive presence on the floor. Gamecock Nation will be very excited to see Shay hit the floor next season.”

A 5-foot-8 guard, Colley has been a mainstay for Team Canada in international competition for the last two years, playing in the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship, the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship and the 2014 FIBA U18 Americas Championship. In this summer’s U18 event in Colorado Springs, Colo., she averaged 12.8 points, 3.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds over her five games. Facing off against the U.S. team brought out the best in Colley, whose team came up short in both games against the Americans to take home the silver medal. She posted 18.5 points, 3.0 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game, including 21 points in the final game of pool play in a bid to upset the home team. Colley helped Canada win a bronze at the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship at the age of 16. She has also enjoyed a successful career at St. Edmund Campion Secondary School that includes a pair of regional championships and a silver medal in the 2012 Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations championship.

Colley is the first signee for Staley’s 2015 class.