KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Tennessee guard Diamond DeShields couldn’t understand it last season when fans would let her know how much they appreciated her. It didn’t make sense to her why anyone would offer praise when she wasn’t playing well.
DeShields’ supreme confidence took a major hit during a 2015-16 season she calls a “huge disappointment.” Now the North Carolina transfer has it back and wants to help the Lady Volunteers reclaim their status as national contenders.
“Hopefully I can get back to knowing I’m the best player on the floor as opposed to other people telling me,” DeShields said. “It didn’t matter what other people said when I was at North Carolina. I knew it. Last year, it was like I had to have that constant reminder in order to even step out and compete sometimes.”
Tennessee went 22-14 last season to set a school record for losses, though a surprising NCAA Tournament run ended one step shy of the Final Four. DeShields had a team-high 14.3 points per game but came off the bench for nearly half the season while struggling to get healthy and adapt to her new teammates.
She now feels better physically. Just as important, the 6-foot-1 junior feels better about herself.