ELON, N.C. – Elon women’s basketball coach Charlotte Smith announced the addition of sophomore guard Essence Baucom to the 2013-14 Phoenix roster. Baucom is a transfer from the University of Alabama-Birmingham where she played her freshman season in 2012-13. Due to NCAA transfer regulations, Baucom will be required to sit out for the upcoming season and will be eligible to play for the maroon and gold in 2014-15.
A native of Charlotte, N.C., Baucom attended the Phillip O’Berry Academy averaging 14 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals per game as a senior. She was a two-time all-state selection, two-time All-District 9 pick by the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association and named All-Mecklenburg County by the Charlotte Observer. Baucom was chosen to the All-MEGA 7 Conference first team all four years of high school and named conference player of the year as a senior. She led her team to three conference championships and earned team MVP honors three times. Off the court, Baucom was a member of the National Honor Society.
In her freshman season at UAB, Baucom played in 26 games and started seven of those contests. She scored a season-high six points at Central Florida in the Conference USA opener on Jan. 10. Baucom tallied four points off a 4-for-4 mark from the charity stripe in the first round of the WNIT contest at Auburn.
Baucom is the daughter of Michael and Beverley Baucom.