With basketball season just around the corner, the weekend spotlight wasn’t confined to the hardwood. Shelomi Sanders, daughter of NFL icon and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, turned heads at the USC vs. Purdue matchup when she arrived sporting game-day gear that offered a subtle clue about where her loyalties may lean.

In a recent IG story, Shelomi Sanders shared a picture that featured none other than Purdue’s defensive back, Myles Slusher. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to those who follow the basketball rumors. Sharing comments, interacting on TikTok, and entering the transfer portal together linked fans’ perceptions of Shelomi and Myles. Fans have been connecting the dots, and this public display at a major game only fuels the fire, even though neither officially acknowledged the relationship.

But let’s just say that Shelomi didn’t exactly deny the rumors that she and the Purdue defensive star were dating this time around, which had been circulating for weeks. It was really a mic-drop moment when he turned up at the game wearing a top that showed off his face. Their connection goes back a few years, when he started at Arkansas, bounced to Louisville, and then eventually landed at Colorado, where he crossed paths with Shelomi, whose basketball journey was unfolding under the same roof, thanks to her dad.

In the game, the Boilermakers may have put up a good fight against USC, but the Trojans ultimately won by 33-17. Purdue is suffering their first loss of the season, falling to 2-1 and without any wins in conference play, while USC is now 3-0 overall and has started its Big 10 run strong. Although Purdue suffered its first defeat of the season, one of their key players won big off the field.

Shelomi’s rise on and off the court

Despite coming from a well-known football family, Shelomi Sanders is obsessed with basketball on the court. She is currently preparing for her second season with the Alabama A&M women’s basketball team after stints at Jackson State and Colorado, where her family’s influence was strong. She is a devoted basketball fan who admires DiJonai Carrington of the Minnesota Lynx, who was recently traded by the Dallas Wings and is known for her slick moves on the court.

Back when Shelomi shared a video of herself dribbling past opponents and making daring baskets, inspiring teammates and fans with her skills. The response from fellow athletes added even more excitement to that post. And Myles Slusher commented, “My shooter.” Fans are already reading between the lines, especially since Myles has a history of transfers and connections that overlap with Shelomi’s journey. Their exchanges, along with moments spent together both on and off the field, have left supporters wondering if their bond goes beyond just friendship.

Shelomi’s life is full of conflicts and successes, far from the court and the rumors. She is one of 21 collegiate athletes who have agreed to a NIL contract with Dexcom, a company that helps athletes with diabetes. Since she was 13, she has been dealing with Type 1 diabetes, and at age 21, she wears the Dexcom G7 to monitor her blood sugar levels in real time. She even played a friendly game against Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews at a signing event, and despite losing, the room was filled with laughter. Shelomi said, “It’s definitely not for the weak,” as she looked at how her diagnosis had strengthened her willpower. With the help of her family, teammates, and coaches, she displays that heart and willpower are just as crucial as athletic skills.