Lady Vols' Diamond DeShields returning for final season

Diamond DeShields is returning for her final women’s basketball season with Tennessee rather than enter the WNBA draft. The main reason apparently is four Lady Vols who are about to play their first season.

The Lady Vols' 6-foot-1 redshirt junior guard, who averaged a team-leading 17.4 points last season, announced her decision Saturday night on Instagram. Her mother, Tisha, confirmed the post and her daughter’s decision.

In her lengthy post, DeShields said she was returning to "develop my game further" and play for championships. But she also stressed the intention to be a "big sister" for the four incoming freshmen: Evina Westbrook, Anastasia Hayes, Kasi Kushkituah and Rennia Davis.

"Giving these four young ladies an opportunity to be themselves, make mistakes and still have the love they need and deserve is my first priority," DeShields wrote.

She referenced her freshman season at North Carolina, when she was part of high-profile recruiting class. DeShields wrote of the need for a teammate to tell them when "we were being knuckle heads."

"I see this as a second chance, a chance to do things the right way, and be the example that I never had," wrote DeShields, who transferred to UT after one season with the Tar Heels.

Hayes said DeShields had group messaged with the four future Lady Vols last week as they prepared for the McDonald's All-American girls game in Chicago. Hayes said DeShields told them "we're all going to be sisters" but didn't say whether she was returning to Tennessee.

DeShields was fourth in the SEC in scoring. Her per-game average was the highest by a Lady Vol since Candace Parker’s 21.3 average in 2007-08. DeShields scored in double figures 26 times and had 20 or more points 11 times.

A first-team honoree on the league coaches’ all-conference team, DeShields also averaged 3.8 assists, which ranked sixth in the SEC.

Center Mercedes Russell announced last Saturday via Instagram that she will return for her final season. The 6-6 redshirt junior was named an honorable mention All-American last week by the Associated Press.

Both players were named honorable mention All-Americans Saturday by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association.

DeShields also referred to her current teammates in writing: "I'm coming back to build and nurture this family that I love so dearly. My love for UT is unending."