University of Tennessee Athletics
ELY IS NOT YOUR AVERAGE FRESHMAN
December 12, 2001 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 12, 2001
By Justin Gallagher
For many freshmen, their first semester of college is a time to adjust to new surroundings. So far, Tennessee rookie Shyra Ely is making the difficult adjustment look pretty easy.
The 6-2 forward from Indianapolis, Ind., has been one of the team's most consistent players in UT's first five games, averaging 12 points and five rebounds per contest over that span. The freshman forward has started every game and has led the Lady Vols in scoring in three of their first five contests.
The rookie sensation is already receiving rave reviews from Lady Vol basketball coach Pat Summitt.
"She has been a pleasure to coach," Summitt said. "We've had her playing two different positions. She's been a quick learner and very receptive to change and criticism.
"I knew that she would come in and make a difference, but you usually have a transition period because you don't know how long it takes a freshman to make a difference. We knew she was a difference maker."
Ironically, Ely didn't anticipate having the offensive success she's had so far this season.
"I didn't know what to expect," Ely said. "I really expected to be a role player. Wherever Coach Summitt needed me was where I was going to play. I didn't expect to start, but when she put me in there, I was ready for it.
"It doesn't matter who starts as long as you get a win. Starting really isn't a priority, but being able to contribute to the team is."
As humble as she is about her early success, Ely's ability on the basketball court speaks loudly for itself. During her senior season at Ben Davis High School, USA TODAY and Sports Illustrated selected Ely as the nation's top player and she was awarded the Naismith Prep Player of the Year trophy. Statistically, she became her school's all-time leader in points (2,004) and rebounds (1,218).
But basketball wasn't always her favorite sport.
"Everybody thought I was going to be a swimmer, and I got into basketball at the same place I got into swimming -- the YMCA," she said. "I was watching my brother play after I had finished swimming. I tried to get out there and play, but he wouldn't let me. So I got my dad, and then he made him let me play.
"I was double-dribbling and traveling, and I didn't know what I was doing. But I haven't put a basketball down since."
Ely's ability to take defenders off the dribble and consistently hit the outside jumper makes her difficult to defend. In UT's 106-66 blowout of Southern California on Nov. 18, the rookie led Tennessee in scoring with 22 points on 9-of-11 shots from the field. When she wasn't drilling jumpers against the Women of Troy, Ely led the defensive charge with seven rebounds, five steals and two blocks.
The freshman's talent and potential on the basketball court reminds Summitt of Tamika Catchings, a former Lady Vol who is now playing in Ely's hometown with the Indiana Fever of the WNBA.
"I see some similarities between the two," Summitt said. "Certainly, both are terrific athletes who are very competitive. They both have a good first step and can break down the defense with penetration. They're not committed to just one end, they play both ends of the court."
One of the biggest lessons Ely has learned so far was in the game against Louisiana Tech, a game in which she struggled offensively with only one point entered next to her name in the scorebook.
"The Louisiana Tech game was more mental than anything," Ely said. "It was a big game, and I was in a big position. I've learned from it, and I'm going to move forward.
"We're one of the best teams in the country, and everybody's going to be coming after us. We have a bull's eye on our back. Everybody is going to play their best game against us, so I have to be ready to play my best against them at all times, too."
Ely said her natural position is the small forward, but she was forced to play both the small forward and power forward position early in the season due to Gwen Jackson's knee injury. After forward Shalon Pillow suffered a knee injury, the freshman knew she would be counted on to play more minutes at power forward until the senior returned to the court.
"I've been playing both positions since Gwen's injury," she said. "When she was out, I had to play the four (power forward) more. Now that Shalon is out, I'll probably have to continue that a little while longer instead of going back to the three (small forward)."
The rookie star from the Hoosier State is just one of four freshmen having an impact with the Lady Vols so far. Newcomers Loree Moore, Brittany Jackson and Michelle Mu?oz have had major roles with the team. Ely believes this group can help put UT over the top this year.
"I think that with our freshmen class, we bring something to every aspect of the team," she said. "That's really good for our team because we lost a big senior class last year. We're just stepping in and trying to make this team complete."
Even though Ely is only a freshman, she knows what Lady Vol basketball is all about - being in position to win the national title in March.
"We're in a drought," Ely said. "Tennessee is way overdue for a national championship. I'm just here working hard and trying to help bring another one home."
