Former Christ the King star Sierra Calhoun has a new home. It just won’t be any closer her old one.
The freshman guard, who left the Duke women’s basketball program in January, announced last week that she chose to transfer to Ohio State over St. John’s.
Calhoun, a Brooklyn native, declined comment on her reasons for leaving the Blue Devils, but said she is pleased to get a fresh start.
“It hasn’t been stressful or anything,” Calhoun said. “I’ve just been excited to figure out where I am going to go and where I am going to start off the next chapter in my life and college career. I’m just happy to be going to Ohio State.”
The former McDonald’s All-American said her decision ultimately came down to a choice between Ohio State and St. John’s, which was tops among the local schools recruiting her. She thanked Red Storm coach Joe Tartamella and his staff.
“I had a great relationship with the St. John’s coaching staff,” Calhoun said. “They did a great job recruiting me.“
Calhoun said there was some allure to returning to the city to play, but she ultimately opted to join coach Kevin McGruff and a Buckeye team that lost in the Big Ten title game and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament last season. Ohio State announced that Calhoun will redshirt the 2015–16 season while fulfilling transfer requirements and will be eligible to play in 2016–17.
“I just had a great relationship with the coaching staff and the players,” Calhoun said. “I feel like it was the best fit for me.”
Calhoun will head to Ohio State soon to begin summer classes. She missed a semester after abruptly leaving Duke before the team’s Jan. 4 game against Wake Forest. She started all 13 games for the Blue Devils and was averaging 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists per contest.
She led Christ the King to a 21–4 record and a Catholic High School Athletic Association Brooklyn-Queens title while averaging 24 points, 9.3 rebounds, and four steals per game as a senior. The Buckeyes are happy to add her to their roster.
“She is an outstanding person who will add a tremendous amount to our program both on and off the court,” McGruff said. “She should be a terrific fit as we continue our march toward national prominence in women’s college basketball.”
