Another women’s basketball player to transfer

Published 1:36 pm Saturday, April 19, 2008

Add freshman Kali Bennett to the list of players leaving the Washington women’s basketball program. Bennett is the fourth member of the Huskies’ six-person recruiting class to leave. Candice Nichols left just before the start of the season, Jess McCormack left late in the season, and leading scorer Katelan Redmon announced her decision to leave at the end of the season.

All of Washington’s freshmen were recruited by June Daugherty, who was fired last spring. Monroe grad Sarh Morton and Seattle native Mackenzie Argens are the two remaining members of the 2007 recruiting class.

Dominique Banks, who redshirted during her senior season because of injury, has also decided not to come back for her fifth year. Banks will graduate in the spring, and said she was ready to move on to live after basketball. I talked to Banks yesterday and she said that the new coaching staff had absolutely nothing to do with her decision to not use her final year of eligibility.

Here’s a statement from Bennett that the school just released:

“This is probably the hardest decision I have ever had to make. My choice to leave UW has been a struggle but I know it is in my best interest. Although UW is an amazing school, basketball-wise I do not feel like this program can make me the player I’ve envisioned myself becoming. I think that the hardest aspect to overcome is leaving my teammates. They have become like sisters and I have so much love for them. Although it has been very difficult for me to come to this decision, I know that I need to find another school that will help me to become the player that I aspire to be.”

And here’s the release on Bennett from the school:

Bennett To Transfer From UW Women’s Basketball Team

SEATTLE – Washington freshman center Kali Bennett has decided to leave the Husky women’s basketball team and transfer to another institution, university officials announced Saturday.

“We are saddened that another Husky has decided that her journey into adulthood and in the world of basketball needed to continue away from the University of Washington and our women’s basketball program,” head coach Tia Jackson said. “We are building and developing a championship culture here at Washington and we want everyone who signs on to be aware of the level of commitment that championship basketball requires. We will band together as a team and build on the successes and lessons we learned over the past year. I will never deny anyone the chance to determine where they will pursue their athletic and academic goals because it is my desire that at the end of the day every student-athlete has the opportunity to enjoy their intercollegiate experience. We wish Kali our very best in the next step of her life, with hopes that she ultimately reaches all the goals she has set for herself.”

Bennett, a native of Ventura, Calif., came off the bench in all but one game this past season, averaging 4.9 points and 3.0 rebounds. She shared the team lead in blocked shots (15) and was named to squad’s Most Improved Player at the season-end banquet.