Denim DeShields Enters Transfer Portal
Sophomore guard Denim DeShields entered the transfer portal Monday afternoon, she announced on Twitter.
The Blazers’ season ended last Wednesday with a loss to Southern Miss in the opening round of the WNIT.
“The past two years here at UAB have been filled with growth and unimaginable memories,” DeShields wrote. “Your support and guidance have been invaluable to me and something that I will always remember.”
“With that being said, after much consideration I have decided to enter my name into the transfer portal. This decision was one of the toughest I’d had to make, but I wouldn’t be in this position without you all.”
“As I say farewell, I carry with the lessons learned and lifelong relationships made. I am excited for this next chapter and what’s to come. Thank you again for everything.”
Originally an Indiana State commit, DeShields signed with UAB in 2022 after a year of prep school. “It just felt right,” she told Just Women’s Sports.
The Atlanta native served as the Blazers’ primary point guard during the 2022-2023 season, leading the team in scoring.
“She made the all-freshman team last year. We’re excited about her,” said UAB head coach Randy Norton last fall.
“She’s really improved her game since last year. I thought she handled it really well last year. We had lots of talks. We challenged her to just hang in there. As a freshman when things aren’t going your way and you have all this adversity, it’s easy to get down. I thought she battled every day and was willing to listen and grow. She’s still that way today. I feel like her best basketball is in front of her.”
This past season, DeShields finished second on the team in scoring, averaging 13.4 points per game. She recorded a career-high 1.2 steals per game, earning her a spot on the AAC’s third team. DeShields also racked up 170 assists, a mark which led the conference and ranked top-30 nationally.
DeShields is the first Blazer to enter the transfer portal this offseason. She joins Maddie Walsh, who is committed to returning, as the only UAB players to formally announce their plans thus far.