The Sanders family recently took playing the good cop-bad cop parenting to the next level. Shelomi Sanders recently announced, “I have decided to enter the transfer portal with three years of eligibility left.” After starting her collegiate career at Jackson State and then transferring to Colorado, courtesy of her father, Shelomi’s dedication to basketball has been evident. But as she decided to stray away from the Deion Sanders path, she was met with mixed reactions from her family.

While her mother supported her autonomy and desire to forge her own path, her dad, Coach Prime, questioned her decision. When asked about his daughter’s decision to enter the portal, he called it “stupid,” adding, “You kinda get a team [to join] before you enter the portal.” Shelomi didn’t have a team to go to back then, but it was just a matter of time before she was recruited by one. That raised questions about Deion Sanders’ tenure at Colorado. And his response didn’t sit well with his ex-wife, Pilar Sanders.

Sanders said, “I am the leader of the family. So, I’ve been dictating where my kids go. They’re not dictating where I go.” Pilar, who’s expressed her support for Shelomi every step of the way, posted a YouTube video to reprimand Coach Prime for all that he said. “Shelomi was never given a fair chance to get recruited,” she revealed. When Deion Sanders decided to coach football at Jackson State, his kids followed him there. When asked about Shelomi’s college choice when they approached her in high school, Sanders said, “Where else is she going to go? Of course, she’s going to JSU.”

Their move to Colorado followed this. Pilar Sanders explained, “We know Shelomi didn’t get recruited by Colorado. That was never a thing. She was on the basketball team. Did she get probable time? No, they already had their recruits; they already had their lineup.” Last season, Shelomi played sparingly at CU, averaging 0.6 points and 0.6 rebounds per game with only 11 minutes of playtime across 5 games. This was a gross underutilization of her prowess, as she had been averaging 16 points per game at JSU.

Despite the irregular appearances on the floor, Pilar made it a point to attend all of Shelomi’s games. After all, her daughter was part of a team. Directing her next words at Deion, Pilar Sanders said, “You changed the whole scope of how people were attending sports. The women’s basketball? They have people going, but let’s not be shy of the attention that Shelomi also brought to the team. Those houses were packed down. You attended some games; I was there. You weren’t at every game seeing Shelomi sit and pay her dues,” suggesting that she was far more present in their daughter’s basketball journey than he was.

Seeing as Coach Prime’s family has supported him through every career move he’s made – from NFL to MLB to now, a college football coach – Pilar Sanders expected the same to be reciprocated when Shelomi made her decision. Since he didn’t do that, Pilar added, “Why should she be called stupid for finally taking a stand, putting those big girl pants on, and starting to make a way for herself?” 

Shelomi’s determination to pursue her passion for basketball on her own terms highlights her willingness to take control of her life and career. Whether Coach Prime is ready to abide or not, Shelomi has selected the third pit-stop in her journey to make it to the WNBA. 

From the Buffaloes to the Bulldogs, Shelomi Sanders finds a fresh start at Alabama A&M

Well, ready or not, Shelomi finally has the chance to prove her mettle outside her father’s shadow. She shared an X post, writing, “comin to the hill 🐶!!!” showcasing her new jersey as she joined the Bulldog Nation. Sanders, transitioning from Jackson State to Colorado and now to Alabama A&M, brings determination despite limited collegiate playing time. Her potential showed in standout moments, like her performance against the Air Force Academy. And now, the Bulldogs couldn’t be happier to have her.

With Coach Dawn Thornton leading the Bulldogs, the team aims for success in the SWAC. Thornton is already looking forward to having Shelomi on the team, as she told the Clarion-Ledger, “Shelomi is just what we need on the Hill. Not only does she want to make a name for herself, but we also have the platform and the resources for her to do it. She is well-known for her game behind the arc, and I love big guards that can score the ball.” Thornton’s arrival heralds a new era for the Bulldogs, with a focus on recruiting top talent and building a competitive team to contend in the SWAC.

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