Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell sings on Kea:Paris Kea(Page High School) now officially a UNC Tar Heel

North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell sings out the praises of Paris Kea from Greensboro’s Page High School:
“Paris gives us more options at the guard position in the future,” said UNC head coach Sylvia Hatchell. “She’s an outstanding player at both ends of the court and we can’t wait to have her as part of our team. She’s also a Greensboro native and we love having young ladies in our program from the state of North Carolina.”

from www.goheels.com:
(Press Release)

CHAPEL HILL – Paris Kea [Key], a former member of the USA Basketball U18 National Team who played one season at Vanderbilt University, has signed an athletic scholarship agreement at the University of North Carolina to play women’s basketball for the Tar Heels.

Per NCAA regulations, Kea will sit out the upcoming 2015-16 season and will have three more seasons of eligibility beginning with the 2016-17 campaign.

“Paris gives us more options at the guard position in the future,” said UNC head coach Sylvia Hatchell. “She’s an outstanding player at both ends of the court and we can’t wait to have her as part of our team. She’s also a Greensboro native and we love having young ladies in our program from the state of North Carolina.”

Kea played in all in 31 games for Vanderbilt in the 2014-15 season, making eight starts. She averaged 6.9 points per game and dished out a team-high 94 assists (3.0 per game) for the Commodores.

Kea scored a season-high 18 points in the regular-season finale at No. 6 Tennessee. Despite being a guard, Kea ranked second on the team with 12 blocked shots.

Kea was a member of the 2014 USA U18 National Team that posted a 5-0 record and won the 2014 FIBA Americas Championship gold medal, while playing with future Tar Heel teammate Destinee Walker. Kea compiled 19 points, 17 assists and 11 rebounds in five games.

As a prep star, Kea graduated from Page High School as the all-time scoring leader in program history. A three-time AP All-State selection, Kea was a McDonald’s All-America nominee after averaging 24.2 points and 7.1 rebounds as a senior.

A four-star prospect according to ESPN, Kea was also ranked No. 24 overall in her class, and No. 9 at her position by Prospects Nation.

Kea is the daughter of Willie and Swanee Kea and the granddaughter of Yvonne Dickens. She has a 13-year-old brother Jermani Kea.