CLEVELAND, Miss. - Delta State University Women's Basketball head coach Sandra Rushing didn't have to go far to find her next assistant, as DSU introduced former Lady Statesmen Shameka Russell to the post on Friday, May 18.  Russell replaces Greg Long, who resigned to accept a position closer to home in Florida.  

"We're extremely excited to welcome Shameka Russell back to the Lady Statesmen program as assistant coach," Rushing said.  "Shameka was one of the most coachable players I've ever had and her knowledge of my system and player expectations will be second to none."

Russell, a native of Waynesboro, Miss., was a three-year letter winner for the Lady Statesmen from 2008-2009 to 2010-2011.   The 6-foot-2 small forward played in 97 games with 40 starts during her career, scoring 735 points and grabbing 353 rebounds.  She achieved a career .455 field goal percentage and a .345 3-point field goal percentage.   

As a player, Russell helped guide the Lady Statesmen to thw 2008-2009 Gulf South Conference championship and an appearance in the NCAA Division II Final Four.  The versatile forward played for the GSC crown in all three of her seasons at DSU and helped the Lady Statemen to three straight NCAA postseason appearances and three consecutive NCAA Sweet 16 finishes.  

Russell averaged 8.0 points and 4.3 rebounds as a senior, but enjoyed her most successful campaign as a junior.  In 31 games and 18 starts, Russell averaged 10.8 points and 4.8 rebounds.  She scored a career-high 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a key victory for the Lady Statesmen at West Florida on December 13, 2009.  

Prior to coming to Delta State, Russell played her freshman season at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, La., where she saw limited action at forward.  

Russell, who is single and resides in Cleveland, graduated in May 2011 with a bachelor's degree in business from Delta State.  She will complete her master's degree in Sports Administration this fall.  

YEAR	RECORD	POINTS/PG	REBOUNDS/PG
2010-2011 | Senior	28-4	8.0	4.3
2009-2010 | Junior	27-7	10.8	4.8
2008-2009 | Sophomore	30-7	4.3	2.0
CAREER	85-18	8.1	3.9