University of North Carolina Athletics
Shayla Bennett led the Tar Heels in minutes per game as a senior, when she started all 30 games.
Photo by: Dana Gentry
Bennett Signs Pro Contract To Play In Sweden
May 21, 2020 | Women's Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Shayla Bennett, who graduated from UNC earlier this month with a degree in exercise and sport science, has signed a contract with a professional women's basketball team in Sweden. A 5-9 guard from Piedmont, S.C., she played two years for the Tar Heels, appearing in all 63 games over that span and starting 61.
Bennett has signed with Mark Basket Marbo (BK Marbo), which competes in the Damligan, Sweden's women's basketball league, and is based in Kinna, Sweden. At this point, she plans to travel to Europe in September.
"I am excited to say that I will begin my professional career in Sweden," Bennett said. "Big shout-outs to Coach Jo [Aluka-White] and Coach [Carrie] Moore for motivating me to continue to play after Carolina. I will be working out and managing my shoe company until it is time for me to report to Sweden. Thank you to the Carolina family for the support throughout my two years and as always, Go Heels."
As a senior in 2019-20, Bennett led the Atlantic Coast Conference in assist/turnover ratio at 2.09 and ranked third in the ACC in assist with 5.23 per game. She led the Tar Heels and ranked fourth in the conference with an .835 free throw percentage, and also was the team leader in minutes played with 34.9 per game.
During her two seasons in Chapel Hill, she averaged 12.2 points and 4.6 assists per game.
Bennett played her first two collegiate seasons at Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, Fla., earning Two-Year College Player of the Year honors and helping her team to an NJCAA national title.
"Shayla has made an indelible impact on this program and on me," said UNC coach Courtney Banghart, who coached Bennett during her senior season. "As our lead guard, she set the tone on both ends. She came to games prepared and she brought a competitive toughness that we could count on for 40 minutes. She had such a great ability to read defenses and to get her teammates the ball where they could be most successful.
"Shayla was so proud to wear the University of North Carolina blue and she honored it with the toughness and accountability she brought night after night. One year together wasn't nearly enough, but I'll be forever grateful for the one year that we did have. We all wish her the best in her new endeavor."
Bennett has signed with Mark Basket Marbo (BK Marbo), which competes in the Damligan, Sweden's women's basketball league, and is based in Kinna, Sweden. At this point, she plans to travel to Europe in September.
"I am excited to say that I will begin my professional career in Sweden," Bennett said. "Big shout-outs to Coach Jo [Aluka-White] and Coach [Carrie] Moore for motivating me to continue to play after Carolina. I will be working out and managing my shoe company until it is time for me to report to Sweden. Thank you to the Carolina family for the support throughout my two years and as always, Go Heels."
As a senior in 2019-20, Bennett led the Atlantic Coast Conference in assist/turnover ratio at 2.09 and ranked third in the ACC in assist with 5.23 per game. She led the Tar Heels and ranked fourth in the conference with an .835 free throw percentage, and also was the team leader in minutes played with 34.9 per game.
During her two seasons in Chapel Hill, she averaged 12.2 points and 4.6 assists per game.
Bennett played her first two collegiate seasons at Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, Fla., earning Two-Year College Player of the Year honors and helping her team to an NJCAA national title.
"Shayla has made an indelible impact on this program and on me," said UNC coach Courtney Banghart, who coached Bennett during her senior season. "As our lead guard, she set the tone on both ends. She came to games prepared and she brought a competitive toughness that we could count on for 40 minutes. She had such a great ability to read defenses and to get her teammates the ball where they could be most successful.
"Shayla was so proud to wear the University of North Carolina blue and she honored it with the toughness and accountability she brought night after night. One year together wasn't nearly enough, but I'll be forever grateful for the one year that we did have. We all wish her the best in her new endeavor."
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