The women's basketball team has added a new weapon, and a local one at that.
Bra'shey Ali, native of Plainsboro, N.J., has decided to transfer closer to home after spending her freshman season as a member of the University of Kentucky Wildcats.
Because of NCAA transfer regulations, Ali must sit out this upcoming season and will retain eligibility to play at the start of the 2013-2014 season. That minor stipulation hasn't hindered head basketball coach Anne Donovan's excitement on the newest addition to the squad.
"We are very excited to welcome Bra'Shey to our program," Donovan said. "We are very happy we could bring one of New Jersey's finest players from the class of 2011 closer to her hometown of Plainfield."
Ali is a versatile player, who played as a combo guard in limited playing time with Kentucky. She can add stability to a Pirates team that suffered a rough season last year finishing 8-23, and going 1-15 during conference play.
Ali brings a wealth of experience to her new teammates after leading Nazareth Regional High School in New York, to a 29-3 record and the CHSAA Class AA state championship during her senior season.
"Bra'Shey is a proven winner after helping Nazareth High School in New York to a state championship" Donovan said.
During her tenure with the Wildcats, Ali saw little playing time only appearing in 11 games last season. According to Jennifer Smith of KentuckySports.com University of Kentucky head coach Matthew Mitchell said "Ali had things off the court she needed to work on if she wanted to get on the court."
Assuming all of those "off court things" are handled and with the comfort of being close to home Ali should have no trouble finding herself on the court for the Pirates.
Expect to see Ali contributing during the 2013-2014 season for the Pirates doing all the things that made her a top recruit of the Class of 2011.
"She has great length," Donovan said, "and is a tremendous slasher, finisher and rebounder from the guard spot."
Dennis Chambers can be reached at dennis.chambers@student.shu.edu
