McCoy transferring, possibly to Bowling Green

McCoy PHIL MASTURZO / AKRON BEACON JOURNAL Enlarge

Niki McCoy, The Blade's player of the year in 2005, has left the Akron women's basketball team and plans to transfer to one of three schools - all in Ohio.

McCoy will decide on either Bowling Green State University, Ohio University or the University of Findlay after she visits OU next weekend. She will have two years of eligibility left.

"As stressful as it is to go through this process, it is cool because now that I've had two years of experience, I have a whole new chance to be where I want to be," McCoy said.

The Northview graduate has already visited BGSU and Findlay.

BGSU has an open scholarship for next season with the departure of Jasmine McCall during the season. Coach Curt Miller said he could not comment on specific recruits, but that they are not recruiting any high-school seniors for the scholarship and would consider accepting a transfer.

McCoy, a third-team All-Mid-American Conference selection this past year as a sophomore, was fifth in the MAC in scoring with 16.1 points per game. A 5-foot-11 guard/forward, she was granted her release from Akron after the season ended. The release did not prohibit her from transferring to another MAC team.

McCoy was suspended for Akron's final two games, including the first round of the MAC tournament, for an undisclosed violation of team rules. Three of her teammates were also suspended, two for one game.

"I think all the coaches [at Akron] are great coaches, but it just wasn't working out with me here," McCoy said. "I wasn't recruited by [first-year Zips coach Jodi Kest]. We just didn't end up getting along."

McCoy considered attending BGSU out of high school and had a close-up view of the Falcons' domination of the MAC the past two seasons. She was impressed with their Sweet 16 run and said, "If I went there it'd be great to help them get there again."

She was also glad that Miller agreed to a contract extension.

Miller staying "is a really big part of my decision, because Curt Miller is such a good coach," McCoy said. "I wouldn't go to BG to play for anybody else but him."

McCoy is considering Ohio in part because Geoff Lanier, who was an assistant at Akron her freshman year, is now on the Bobcats' staff.

She said part of her reasoning in considering Findlay is that she would not have to sit out a year to play at a Division II school.

Contact Maureen Fulton at:

mfulton@theblade.com

or 419-724-6160.