Mustangs Add Pair Of Big XII Transfers In Mays, Hardy

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Mustangs Add Pair Of Big XII Transfers In Mays, Hardy
Hardy declared eligible to play immediately

Feb. 5, 2012

DALLAS (SMU) - The SMU women's basketball team has added a pair of Big XII transfers to the roster, head coach Rhonda Rompola announced Sunday. Former Oklahoma State forward Brittney Hardy and former Kansas guard Keena Mays have enrolled at SMU and started taking classes this semester.

"I am excited to have Brittney (Hardy) and Keena (Mays) as part of our Mustang family. They are both high profile athletes that will have an immediate impact on our team," head coach Rhonda Rompola said. "With the addition of Brittney and Keena, and our four recruits in the early signing period, I believe SMU women's basketball has a bright future."

Hardy has been declared eligible for competition immediately, and will have three more full seasons of eligibility. SMU submitted a waiver requesting legislative relief on Hardy's behalf, which was granted by the NCAA. Hardy transferred to SMU to be closer to her family after the tragic death of members of the coaching staff, including head coach Kurt Budke. Mays will be eligible to compete in three semesters over the next two years beginning in the spring of 2013, completing her senior season during the 2013-14 campaign.

Mays, a native of Arlington, Texas and graduate of Mansfield Timberview High School, played in all 34 games with 13 starts as a freshman at Kansas during the 2010-11 season. She averaged 7.1 points and 3.0 rebounds per game, and was second on the team with 119 assists. Her 3.5 assists per game ranked second among freshmen in the Big XII Conference. She shot 35.7-percent from 3-point range, and scored in double-figures nine times. She also posted a double-double with 12 points and a career-high 10 assists against Michigan.

In high school, Mays was a McDonald's All-America nominee, and was a three-time Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State selection. She led Timberview High School to a State Championship, and was rated as the 18th point-guard prospect in the country and second in Texas after averaging 10.6 points, 6.3 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game as a senior.

Hardy played 20 minutes over four games at Oklahoma State this season, grabbing 15 rebounds with a block and two steals. A McDonald's All-America nominee at Frisco High School, the 6-2 forward averaged 18.0 points and 12.4 rebounds during her senior season. She was rated the 63rd best prospect in the country in the ESPN HoopGurlz Top 100, and was named All-State and All-Region by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.

[mustangbill67]

I would believe these two women will be key contributors as we move forward to the Big East. good job Rhonda. I wonder how come we get so many Okie State transfers. almost like we have a pipeline there.

[PonyPride]

Hardy got the waiver to play immediately because of the unusual circumstances (plane crash) surrounding the OSU program. I have heard that several other players either have left or are trying to leave, simply because of the emotion surrounding the program. Plus, this move gets both players closer to their homes, which makes sense.

[PoconoPony]

Both must have had some recruiting relationship with Rhonda in HS. Interesting to see them have confidence in her even if she apparently lost them to Kansas and OSU initially.

[ponyscott]

Mays is a big get for RR and both are actually great for the program.