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A special season for Desiree Elmore

Date: February 25, 2021

By: Jorie Mickens

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Seton Hall Athletics

Senior Seton Hall women’s basketball forward Desiree Elmore has come a long way in her collegiate career. From appearing in 24 contests as a freshman at Syracuse, to missing the entirety of the 2017-18 season with an injury, the Hartford-native never envisioned herself scoring 1,000 points at the college level.

 

“After leaving Syracuse, I had to learn a new system. I tried to find my way and do whatever I needed to do for the team and Coach Bozzella” Elmore said.

 

During a 23-point, 12-rebound performance in a 67-55 victory over the Providence Friars this past Saturday, Elmore collected her 1,000th collegiate career point. And following Seton Hall’s historic win against Xavier on Wednesday, the former Capital Prep star is now just 41 points away from becoming the 23rd player to record 1,000 points in a Pirates’ uniform.

 

That said, Elmore’s impact on the basketball court goes beyond scoring, and the box score. “I just enjoy playing basketball. Especially during this COVID season, I can’t take it for granted. Whatever I have to do I’ll do it” Elmore said.

At the moment, Elmore is the only player in the Big East Conference that ranks top-15 in points (16.1), rebounds (8.8), assists (3.3), blocks (1.3) and steals (2.1), making her not only a candidate for Big East Defensive Player of the Year, but also Big East Player of the Year, which would make her the first in Seton Hall’s history. The humble senior credited plenty of her success to her coach, Anthony Bozzella, and her family, as well.

 

“Coach B has done a lot for me. He fights for me, I respect him, I appreciate his consistency with me. I’m really happy I have a coach that will make sure everything is okay, I know I can always go to him” Elmore said.

 

And as the season winds down, Elmore said she is taking more of a backseat leadership approach as her team enters the treacherous Big East tournament. “I talk to my teammates, however at the same time, I try and let them have their own experiences. I don’t want to baby the freshman or the transfers in their first experience. They wouldn’t be here if they couldn’t compete” Elmore said.

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Seton Hall Athletics

And despite this being her senior season, Elmore could return for the Pirates next year as the NCAA granted all winter sports athletes an extra year of eligibility because of the coronavirus pandemic. Elmore did not express her plans for after this season, but the Pirates would certainly welcome her services for one more year. But focusing on the now, the Pirates have two regular season games left on their schedule: one against the Villanova Wildcats and lastly taking on the St. John’s Red Storm.

 

With an overall record 12-6, the Pirates are firmly in fifth place in the Big East Conference. A solid finish to this season could vault the Pirates into the NCAA tournament for the first time since the 2015-16 season.

Jorie Mickens is an Assistant Sports Director for WSOU Sports, and can be reached at jorie.mickens@student.shu.edu.

Posted in: Sports, Women's Basketball

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