Shay Colley’s Tough Choice to Return For Fifth Year

Determining your recruiting fate is not often an easy journey. At times it can be an overwhelming experience when one thinks about the multitude of choices that can present it to many of the top players.

After all, these aren’t easy choices to make. The impacts of making a decision on which post secondary school to attend will have a big impact on the rest of one’s life.

So if you are unsure, the way 5-star, 2014 prospect Shay Colley was, an assessment was necessary. And if that assessment required a reclassification to the Class of 2015 in order to provide an extra year to plot out a course of action that would in turn slow things down and put her mind at ease, then an uneasy choice would have to be made.

“It was a very difficult decision to make”, said Colley on her reclassification.

For months the rumor mill had been swirling with just about every scenario imaginable as to why updates about the #2 prospect in the Canadian Class of 2014 were not as forthcoming as they were with other players. Many, from all walks of the basketball community were left guessing about the direction of where things were going with her recruiting process.

But upon getting to know Colley a little bit more, one comes to understand that the recruiting frenzy that she has been a part of, runs contrary to her mellow demeanor.

Looking to publically clear the air, Colley spoke to CROWN to set the record straight. Despite the many 2014 options she had, she has a fifth year of eligibility available to her.

And she intended to use it.

“I have been blessed to receive many NCAA division 1 scholarships offers, however I felt that an additional year was what was best for my future goals.”

When asked why, despite being near the top of her field in North America, Colley cited a continued drive to work on her game among the reasons.

“Some reasons include: my personal development as a basketball player, the ability to continue to work on skill set, the opportunity to explore additional options that have been presented to me.”

Looking at Colley’s personality, which she describes as laid back and easy going, may provide a bit of an inkling as to how she is approaching this whole process.

She is a fun loving person that likes to joke around with friends and family.
In her time away from the game that she really enjoys, she is very much an outdoorsy type person that likes to do things aligns with her personality. She enjoys taking part in many of the activities such as ATVing, fishing, camping and canoeing, that each allow her to step away from her daily grind.

Off the court, that easy personality may reign, but on the court, Colley’s game play is intense. Not known for taking plays off, she is a scorer in a variety of ways that will leverage the attention she gets to find open teammates. Her strength quickness and toughness work very well on both sides of the ball giving her the success she has found to go with her on court swagger, making her a priority on many recruiting depth charts.

This past summer, she may have flown a little under the radar by not attending many of the bigger name summer travel events. But she was fortunate enough to once again represent her country at the FIBA Americas U18 Tournament that took place in Colorado Springs, CO in early August. There she led he Junior Women’s Canadian National team to a Silver Medal in an intense atmosphere, successfully running the Point Guard position.

“I have been truly blessed to represent my country the last three summers at the international level, whether at world championships or 3×3 events. This was my first FIBA Americas, being the team captain and the floor general was exciting as always.”

Colley didn’t miss the entire summer travel circuit. After a strong rep season with her Brampton Warriors, she was able to get a few games in with ‘The Association’ travel team, marking her first summer of the past six, that she donned a uniform other than her usual Team Ontario’s.
It was an experience that she also seemed to enjoy.

“I really enjoy playing AAU style of basketball. It is basketball at its purest form, the style of play and intensity is very much suited to the way I like to play.”

So, because she decided to tack on some additional recruitment process time, she will be making her decision sometime soon right?

Not so fast. At this moment, Colley has no official visits planned.

And as to when we can expect her to make a public declaration about the College or University that will land her services, her response was

“I will commit when I feel most comfortable, regardless of the time.”

And with a demeanor like hers, it doesn’t get and more easy going than that.