NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion University’s junior forward, Shae Kelley, was named the Hampton Roads Sports Commission Offensive Player of the Year for the 2013-14 season, as announced on Tuesday night at the annual awards ceremony hosted by the Hampton Roads Sports Commission at the Doubletree Hotel in Virginia Beach, Va.
This is the third year of the annual event which recognizes and celebrates Christopher Newport University, Hampton University, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, Virginia Wesleyan University and William & Mary’s athletic seasons. Tonight’s event recognized the top seasons, athletes and coaches in Football, Men's Basketball and Women's Basketball by announcing the Hampton Roads Sports Commission Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year in each sport. Nick Cattles, from ESPN Radio 94.1 FM, was on-hand as the night’s special emcee, while Daryl Towe was the dinner’s featured speaker.
Shae Kelley
On March 20, Shae Kelley joined an elite class, becoming just the fifth Lady Monarch to score 1,000 career points in just her first two seasons at ODU. The only other four players to record 1,000-plus points throughout their first two seasons in a Lady Monarch uniform were: Anne Donovan, Inge Nissen, Nancy Lieberman and Clarisse Machanguana.
Kelley was named to the first team All-C-USA squad as she averaged 17.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game this season. The co-captain led the team in total points (605), rebounding (331), field-goals made (225), free-throws made (151), blocked shots (42), steals (61), starts (34), minutes per game (33.6). She had 17 double-doubles this season, which ranked No. 17 nationally.
She scored a career high 30 points at Rice, which made for the third time this past season that she did so. Her three-pointer with 23 seconds left in regulation and 17 rebounds against Marshall sent the game into overtime and ODU went on to win the game, giving head coach Karen Barefoot her 250th career win.
Shae’s 2.03 steals per contest ranked fifth in the conference, while her 7.1 defensive rebounds per game ranked No. 2 in the conference. Shae averages over one block per game, which was good for No. 11 in the C-USA. Earlier this season, Shae was named MVP of the Basketball Hall of Fame Tournament.