June 30, 2012
NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion University women's basketball head coach Karen Barefoot announced Saturday that hometown favorite Chelisa Painter, a 6-1 junior forward from Indian River High School, has transferred to ODU from George Washington University.
Due to NCAA transfer rules, Painter, who played her first two seasons at George Washington, will have to sit out the 2012-13 season.
"We are extremely excited to have someone like Chelisa join our program. She is not only an athletic and talented individual, but has tremendous character," said Barefoot. "She really fits our defensive system and up tempo style of play. We are excited to have her back home and look forward to her helping us continue to build this program."
Painter was heavily recruited coming out of Indian River in 2010. She was ranked No. 12 at her position and No. 78 overall by ESPNU HoopGurlz. She averaged 14.9 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game her senior season, leading the squad to an undefeated regular season. Painter earned Southeastern District Defensive Player of the Year honors as well as First-Team All-District honors and brought in Second-Team All-Tidewater accolades from the Virginian Pilot.
Last season with the Colonials, she averaged 4.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, seeing action in 21 contests. In her two-year career at GW, she appeared in 50 games.
"I'm very excited that Chelisa is back home at Old Dominion to play for Coach Barefoot," Indian River head coach Gavin Harris, who was the 2010 Southeastern District Coach of the Year, said. "Chelisa is a rebounding machine and is very coachable. Her athleticism is off the charts."