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Former Trojan signs with professional Swedish women’s basketball team

Shanity James

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduate has signed on to play professional basketball with the Norrkoping Dolphins.

Shanity James, who graduated in May, will join the Dolphins, who play in the Basketligan Dam, the highest level of Swedish women’s basketball.

James, originally from St. Louis, left the Trojans as the team’s all-time leader in offensive rebounds and free throws attempted. She is second all-time in program history in rebounds and made free throws, and she is top five in Trojan history in defensive rebounds, made field goals, blocks, games started, points, and field goal percentage.

She was named a member of the All-Sun Belt First Team in 2016 and was also on the league’s All-Tournament Team during her senior and freshman years.

This summer, James spent time playing with the St. Louis Surge of the Women’s Blue Chip Basketball League, a 37-team league. The Surge won the league’s national championship in San Antonio, Texas, in August.

James joins former Trojan teammate Taylor Gault in Sweden, as Gault signed earlier in the summer with Swedish team Visby Ladies. James and Gault played together during the 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 seasons in Little Rock.

James and Gault will meet as rivals during their teams’ first game of the year on Sept. 24. The two will face off twice more during the season on Nov. 12 and March 11.