By Joseph Staszewski
Former Christ the King star Sierra Calhoun has a new home. The freshman guard, who left the Duke women’s basketball program in January, announced last week that she has chosen to transfer to Ohio State over St. John’s. Calhoun declined comment on her reasons for leaving the Blue Devils, or about her time in Durham, but 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.”
The former McDonald’s All-American and Brooklyn native said her decision came down to Ohio State and St. John’s, which was tops among 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.”
While the prospect of returning to Queens to play was appealing, she ultimately joined coach Kevin McGruff and a Buckeyes team that lost in the Big Ten title game and made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament this year. The Buckeyes announced 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.”
Calhoun will head to Ohio State this summer 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 CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens title—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,” McGruff said. “She should be a terrific fit as we continue our march toward national prominence in women’s college basketball.”
