Jasbriell Swain was the heartbeat of the Binghamton women’s basketball team in 2012-13. But as next season approaches, head coach Nicole Scholl will need to find a way to replace the rising senior, who asked for her release from the program around the end of the spring semester.
Swain, a native of Memphis, Tenn., was granted her release, and is expected to transfer closer to home to spend her final collegiate year near her family.
Though Swain has not made an official announcement, Scholl said the Bearcats’ leading rebounder and most suffocating defender would likely transfer to the University of Memphis and not play basketball.
“It’s not official from my perspective just because I didn’t hear it firsthand from her,” Scholl said. “But [that’s] the latest that I’ve heard.”
Scholl said Swain is very close with her family, and that served as the impetus for her decision.
“I think it has been tough for her to be so far away from them and them not being a bigger piece of her life when she was out here,” Scholl said.
Swain led the Bearcats with 8.5 rebounds per game and 77 steals in last year’s 6-24 campaign. She also ranked second in scoring with 8.3 points per game.
Replacing her will be a challenge, but Scholl said Swain’s former teammates have responded positively.
“They’re working hard, and they’re focused. They’re looking forward to having a successful year,” she said. “While they’re disappointed that one of their teammates won’t be here next year, I think they’re moving forward in the right way.”
Though Scholl would prefer to have Swain in uniform next year, she understands that basketball is only a part of the college experience.
“We wish her the best, and best of luck to her,” Scholl said. “Hopefully she finds what she’s looking for.”
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