The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

IN her second season as Jacksonville University Dolphins head coach, Yolett McPhee-McCuin has used her influence to give the programme a distinct Bahamian feel.

During the early signing period for the 2015-16 season, McPhee-McCuin signed Grand Bahama native Shalonda Neely out of Arlington Country Day in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Grand Bahama native was a four-year starter at Country Day. She averaged 12 points and 15 rebounds in her junior campaign en route to the team winning a Deep South Classic Championship.

According to the Dolphins Athletic Department, in her sophomore year, she participated in basketball, volleyball, softball and track and field where she earned MVP honours in both basketball and volleyball, Female Basketball Player of the Year and Player of the Year.

“I am extremely excited about this year’s upcoming class,” said McCuin. “This is the second recruiting class that my staff and I were able to put together and I think with last year’s group, we were able to get student athletes who are not only talented but great people. Shalonda is a rare talent with an incredible future ahead of her. She hasn’t been playing basketball for a long time so her best days are ahead of her. I expect Shalonda to make an immediate impact on the floor, in the community, and be a great ambassador for her country, the Bahamas.”

She is the daughter of Solomon and Desiree Neely and has three siblings. In her inaugural campaign, McPhee-McCuin led the Dolphins to a 13-17 record, 10-8 in the Atlantic Sun Conference.

The season opens for the Dolphins November 14 on the road against the Florida Gators.

McPhee-McCuin became the first Bahamian head coach in an NCAA Division I basketball programme when she was announced as the Dolphins head coach in April 2013.

The daughter of legendary Bahamian coach Gladstone “Moon” McPhee and educator Daisy McPhee, she became the third head coach in the 14-year history of Jacksonville women’s basketball.

A 10-year coaching veteran, McPhee-McCuin took on the role of head coach for the Dolphins after a three-year run at Clemson University, where the National Women’s Basketball Insider named her one of the top assistants in the nation.