By KEVIN L. SMITH
(*Editor’s Note: This is a recap of local former student-athletes competing for NCAA Division I men’s and women’s basketball programs. If any local players were missed, please send an email to KLSFreelancing@outlook.com)
Dyaisha Fair has immortalized herself into a rare club that only a handful of women’s basketball players have joined.
The Rochester native officially joined the illustrious 3,000-point club in Syracuse’s thrilling 83-82 win over Clemson on Sunday. She became the 16th player in NCAA Division I women’s basketball history to reach the milestone. Fair currently sits 15th all-time on the list (3,007 points), just ahead of Maine’s Cindy Blodgett (3,005 points).
Fair finished with 21 points for the Orange, as family, friends, teammates and coaches witnessed the fifth-year standout leap over the career hump.
“It means the world not to be too far from home, have my back every step of the way and witness this great accomplishment,” Fair, an ex-Edison Tech star, said on the ACC Network. “It’s just so special.”
Syracuse coach Felicia Legette-Jack awarded Fair the “hard hat” of the game on her special day.
“Listen. Even if we win or we lose, they’re going to know we out here,” Coach Jack said post-game. “You came out and showed everyone why you’re one of the best players to ever play this game.”
Through 16 contests so far this season, Fair is averaging 19.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.3 steals per game. She also has 35.4 minutes per game.
Fair and the Orange (14-2) host nationally-ranked Florida State at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Saniaa Wilson (Syracuse University)
Wilson, a former Bishop Kearney standout, is contributing for the Orange.
The Rochester native is averaging 6.0 PPG and 4.1 RPG through 14 games this season. Wilson’s best performance so far was in Syracuse’s win over Ohio on Dec. 9, when she had 18 points and eight boards in 20 minutes. She was also 5-of-5 from the field and 8-of-10 from the charity stripe.
Lytoya Baker (Le Moyne College)
Baker has been efficient for the Dolphins this season.
The Rochester native is averaging 12.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. She’s also recorded five double-doubles in her effort.
Baker finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals in Le Moyne’s 74-59 victory over Merrimack College on Saturday. Then, in the Dolphins’ 62-52 win over Farleigh Dickinson on Thursday, the former Bishop Kearney standout had 12 points, seven boards, five assists and a block.
Baker and the Dolphins (4-11) face Sacred Heart on Monday.
Kaia Goode (Le Moyne College)
Goode is averaging 7.6 PPG and 2.8 APG in 14 contests so far for the Dolphins. The Rochester native’s best game was when she finished with 17 points and three steals in Le Moyne’s 66-61 win over Buffalo on Dec. 16.
Taylor Norris (Chicago State)
Norris tallied 16 points and 11 boards for a double-double in the Cougars’ 105-37 win over Kuyper College on Wednesday. It was also Chicago State’s first win following an 0-21 start to the season.
An ex-Bishop Kearney standout, Norris is averaging 6.9 PPG and 4.0 RPG in 10 games for Chicago State.
Norris and the Cougars (1-21) host Long Island University on Monday.
Ella Meabon (Colgate University)
Meabon, the Fairport native in her first season with the Raiders, is averaging 4.2 PPG and 1.9 RPG so far. She tallied 12 points and six rebounds in Colgate’s 71-46 victory over Bucknell.
The former Fairport High School star had her best game in Colgate’s 97-22 win over Keuka College on Nov. 29. She had 13 points, five assists and three steals in her effort.
Meabon and the Raiders (11-4) host Army at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Bella Pucci (Binghamton University)
Pucci, also a Fairport native, is averaging 4.8 PPG and 2.7 RPG for the Bearcats.
In Binghamton’s 58-54 victory over Chestnut Hill College on Dec. 30, Pucci had 13 points, nine rebounds, a steal and a block.
Pucci and the Bearcats (5-11) go up against Vermont at 6 p.m. Thursday.
Kylie Buckley (Niagara University)
Buckley, an ex-Livona High School star, is averaging 3.7 PPG and 2.3 RPG.
The Livona native had 15 points, five rebounds, two blocks and a steal in Niagara’s 71-69 win over Stonehill on Nov. 19.
Buckley and the Purple Eagles (6-9) go up against Marist at 4 p.m. Saturday.
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Miles Brown (Ohio University)
Brown, a former Northstar Christian Academy star, is averaging 6.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game for the Bobcats.
In Ohio’s 81-79 loss to Western Michigan on Saturday, Brown had nine points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal. His best game was in the Bobcats’ 108-28 win over Defiance on Dec. 18, when he provided 12 points and two steals.
Ohio (7-9) hosts Central Michigan at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Kidtrell Blocker (IUPUI)
Blocker is averaging 6.7 points and 2.9 rebounds in 17 games so far for the Jaguars.
The Rochester native scored 15 points apiece in IUPUI’s matchups against Winthrop on Nov. 18 and Defiance on Dec. 21.
Blocker and the Jaguars (5-14) host Purdue FW at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Noah Waterman (BYU)
Waterman, a Savannah (New York) native, is averaging 10.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. He’s had six or more rebounds in six of his last seven games.
The ex-Clyde Savannah High School star’s best game so far was in the Cougars’ 77-49 win over Arizona State on Nov. 23 at the Vegas Showdown. Waterman finished with 24 points (6-of-9 from 3-point range) and seven rebounds for BYU.
Watertown and the No. 18 Cougars host Iowa State at 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Jalen Bradley (University of Arizona)
Bradley had eight points, three assists and was 4-of-4 from the free-throw line in the Wildcats’ 73-70 loss to Washington State on Saturday.
The Rochester native’s best game so far was in Arizona’s 101-56 win over UT-Arlington on Nov. 19, when he finished with 13 points. Bradley, an Alabama transfer, is averaging 5.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists this season.
Bradley and the No. 8 Wildcats host USC at 10 p.m. Wednesday.
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