3 reasons Deion Sanders' daughter Shelomi Sanders could make a difference in 2024-2025 season with Alabama A&M
Shelomi Sanders, daughter of the Colorado Buffaloes’ football coach Deion Sanders, transferred from Boulder to Alabama A&M this summer. It's the third venue for Sanders in her college career after a year with Buffaloes and Jackson State Lady Tigers.
Sanders could have improved this season near family and under JR Payne’s guidance. However, her program change comes in light of playing significant minutes.
With that, let’s look at the possible reasons why Shelomi Sanders' 2024-25 season with the Bulldogs could be the best of her career yet.
Why Shelomi Sanders could make a difference in the 2024-2025 season with Alabama A&M
#3 Ample/better court time
For the first time in Sanders' college career, she went through a proper recruitment process, with coaches and programs reaching out and evaluating her induction. Her Jackson State (redshirt) and Buffaloes (walk-on) stint came in light of easing her father's position with the respective colleges' football teams.
With that, Shelomi Sanders' increased minutes on the floor will help her cultivate a larger impact than ever. In the last two seasons, she has played seven games, averaging 0.7 points and 0.6 rebounds under 2.6 minutes.
#2 Dawn Thornton's desire to bring in Sanders
Dawn Thornton, Alabama A&M’s new coach, is thrilled to have the young guard on her roster. From what the coach has seen and heard, she believes Sanders to have a great touch beyond the arc.
Moreover, Thornton believes that the guard’s drive to make a name for herself will act as a constant fuel for her first rendition of the Bulldogs.
Additionally, with Sanders' three years of available eligibility, her improvement in other areas could pay dividends for both her professional career and for the program's success.
#3 High school stat sheet hinting at potential for huge upside
Given her five-foot-five stature, long-range shooting is a must-have skillset for Sanders. Nevertheless, she has the potential to become a scoring threat.
In 2022, as a senior at Rockwall-Heath High School, she averaged 16 ppg throughout the season while earning an All-District first-team honor for District 10 6A in Texas.
She also earned the Newcomer of the Year award in 2020. During the years, her major hot spot on the court was the 3-point line.