excerpt:
Shelbie Davenport relished the opportunity to play in what she considers the toughest women's college basketball conference this past season.
However, the opportunity to be closer to her family mattered more.
Davenport is one of three former Rutherford County girls basketball standouts who have transferred in recent days from their respective college teams.
Davenport, a former Riverdale standout, is leaving Clemson along with former high school teammate Tiffany Lewis. And former Oakland High standout point guard Emily Eubank is leaving Lipscomb University.
Davenport, a 6-foot guard, played in 29 of 30 games this past season as a freshman and started 20 games for the Tigers, which finished 9-21 for the season and 1-15 in ACC play. She was second on the team in scoring (8.6 points), minutes (28.0), 3-point goals made (43) and was third on the team in steals (37).
"I kind of want to get closer to home. That's really important to me."
Her next college could also include playing with Eubank, who is one of her closest friends.
"Of course Emily and I have talked about it," Davenport said. "It's our chance to play together. I would love to play with her. She's my best friend.
Eubank started all 29 games at Lipscomb this past season. She averaged 4.2 assists a game, which was tied for tops in the Atlantic Sun. She was also named to the A-Sun All-Freshman team after averaging 29.7 minutes and 4.5 points.
She shot 32 percent from the 3-point line.
Lewis, a 5-8 guard, started 17 of the 29 games she played in. She averaged 8.4 points and led the team with 50 made 3-pointers.
Lewis was named to the ACC All-Academic team earlier this month.
Three former prep hoops standouts to transfer