CSI's Samms verbally commits to Portland State, joins Odum in signing with Vikes
http://www.magicvalley.com/sports/article_ec788c1c-d5aa-515a-9cfb-090757d0f3fd.html
Call it a win-win.
College of Southern Idaho sophomore forward Shauneice Samms verbally committed to Portland State University late Thursday night. She plans to officially sign with the Vikings as early as Monday.
Not only is Samms joining a program coming off a NCAA Tournament appearance, but she’ll get to continue her relationship with CSI’s men player Chuck Odum, who signed a National Letter of Intent with the school’s men’s program on Monday.
“I just know I’m going to be happy there,” Samms said Friday.
As for Odum, her boyfriend throughout most of her time in Twin Falls, she said, “He makes me laugh. Going to school with him next year will be good for our relationship. Being apart would have been hard on us.”
Samms took a recruiting trip to Pepperdine, where she nearly landed out of Washington’s Mount Tahoma High School. But she visited Portland State along with Odum and both came away with the same feelings.
“I really felt comfortable there,” said Samms, who canceled a recruiting trip to the University of San Diego. “I meshed well with the team and got along really good with the coaches.”
PSU women’s head coach Sherri Murrell can’t comment on Samms until she’s officially signed, but CSI head coach Randy Rogers said he spoke with Murrell on Friday and she was very excited about Samms’ commitment.
That’s no surprise considering Samms was a second-team NJCAA All-American and the Region 18 Player of the Year as a freshman after averaging 15.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game.
A preseason All-American this season, Samms took some time adjusting to playing more on the wing and less in the post. Still, she led the Golden Eagles in scoring (14.2 ppg) and blocked shots (2.4 bpg) while grabbing 7.0 rebounds.
Rogers said he’s pleased to see Samms go to a quality program and one that competes in the Big Sky Conference, which means Samms will make an appearance in Pocatello when the Vikings play Idaho State next season.
Samms said PSU also has the benefit of being just a two-hour car drive away from her home so her family can watch her play.
She said the Portland State staff hasn’t made it clear whether she’ll play up front or on the wing, a placement she said “doesn’t matter” to her.
“They just told me I’m an experienced player and they want me to come in and continue to be that experienced player,” she said.
http://www.magicvalley.com/sports/article_ec788c1c-d5aa-515a-9cfb-090757d0f3fd.html
Call it a win-win.
College of Southern Idaho sophomore forward Shauneice Samms verbally committed to Portland State University late Thursday night. She plans to officially sign with the Vikings as early as Monday.
Not only is Samms joining a program coming off a NCAA Tournament appearance, but she’ll get to continue her relationship with CSI’s men player Chuck Odum, who signed a National Letter of Intent with the school’s men’s program on Monday.
“I just know I’m going to be happy there,” Samms said Friday.
As for Odum, her boyfriend throughout most of her time in Twin Falls, she said, “He makes me laugh. Going to school with him next year will be good for our relationship. Being apart would have been hard on us.”
Samms took a recruiting trip to Pepperdine, where she nearly landed out of Washington’s Mount Tahoma High School. But she visited Portland State along with Odum and both came away with the same feelings.
“I really felt comfortable there,” said Samms, who canceled a recruiting trip to the University of San Diego. “I meshed well with the team and got along really good with the coaches.”
PSU women’s head coach Sherri Murrell can’t comment on Samms until she’s officially signed, but CSI head coach Randy Rogers said he spoke with Murrell on Friday and she was very excited about Samms’ commitment.
That’s no surprise considering Samms was a second-team NJCAA All-American and the Region 18 Player of the Year as a freshman after averaging 15.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game.
A preseason All-American this season, Samms took some time adjusting to playing more on the wing and less in the post. Still, she led the Golden Eagles in scoring (14.2 ppg) and blocked shots (2.4 bpg) while grabbing 7.0 rebounds.
Rogers said he’s pleased to see Samms go to a quality program and one that competes in the Big Sky Conference, which means Samms will make an appearance in Pocatello when the Vikings play Idaho State next season.
Samms said PSU also has the benefit of being just a two-hour car drive away from her home so her family can watch her play.
She said the Portland State staff hasn’t made it clear whether she’ll play up front or on the wing, a placement she said “doesn’t matter” to her.
“They just told me I’m an experienced player and they want me to come in and continue to be that experienced player,” she said.
