Pre-CCSU: Two-year letterwinner at Georgia Perimeter College and played for coach James Waldon … Helped led team to a 23-8 record as a sophomore and to a runner-up finish in the Georgia Junior College Athletic Association … Averaged six points per game … Also played on 16-10 GPC team as a freshman.

High School: Four-year letterwinner, two-time team captain for coach Anderson Bentley at Baldwin High School in Milledgeville, GA … Averaged 11 points on 29-1 senior team that was the Georgia AAAA state runner-up … Squad was ranked in No. 1 in the state … As a junior, averaged 10 points on 27-3 team that advanced to the state Final Four … Also played on 28-3 team that advanced to the Elite Eight as a sophomore and Sweet Sixteen as a freshman … Holds the school’s three-point record and received the team’s best free throw shooter award … Lettered two years in softball.

Personal: Born Shanakie Ward on December 7, 1981 in Milledgeville, GA … Daughter of Sandra S. Kelsey … Her uncle Adam Simmons played at Portland University … A HOPE Scholar and named to Who’s Who Among American High School Students … Majoring in biology.