THE FLATS – Georgia Tech women’s basketball inked forward Kayla Blackshear, a freshman transfer from Alabama, head coach Nell Fortner announced Wednesday. Blackshear will enroll in January 2022 and she will be eligible to play in fall of 2022.
“I’m so excited to have Kayla as a part of our team,” commented Fortner. “We recruited Kayla out of high school and developed a strong relationship with her and her family. Everything works out how it is supposed to and we’re excited to have her join our family at Georgia Tech. Kayla is a high motor player and a hard-working student-athlete. We can’t wait until she is able to compete with us on the court.”
A native of Orlando, Fla., Blackshear was ranked the No. 75 overall recruit in espnW’s 2021 class in 2020. The 6-1 forward attended Lake Highland Prep where she averaged 11.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. A strong component on the offensive side, Blackshear shot nearly 42 percent from the floor. In 2020, Blackshear helped Lake Highland Prep claim the Florida High School Athletic Association’s 4A State Championship.
At Alabama, she appeared in the Crimson Tide’s first three games of the 2021-22 season, averaging 10.2 minutes off the bench and helping Alabama to a 2-1 record to open the season. Blackshear contributed 5.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in those three outings. In the season-opener against Charleston Southern, the freshman played 16 minutes and posted nine points and six rebounds in the win. Against Southern Mississippi, Blackshear went 4-for-4 at the free throw line and finished with six points. In three games, Blackshear shot 66.7 percent (4-for-6) from the field and 87.5 percent (7-for-8) from the free throw line.
Due to NCAA transfer rules, Blackshear will sit out in the spring of 2022 and be eligible to play at the start of the 2022-23 season. She will be eligible to practice in January 2022. Blackshear comes from a family of basketball athletes as her parents, Kerry and Lamilia played college basketball at Stetson. Her father continued with a professional career overseas after his collegiate career. Her two brothers, Kerry Jr. and Kenan, also played collegiate basketball.
