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University of Massachusets Athletics
Michelle Pruitt Set to Join UMass Women's Basketball
May 27, 2021 | Women's Basketball
UTEP transfer arrives with the Minutewomen ahead of 2021-22 season
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts women's basketball and head coach Tory Verdi on Thursday announced the addition of 5-foot-11 forward Michelle Pruitt to the program. Pruitt joins the Minutewomen after spending the last two seasons at UTEP.
"Michelle is going to help give us the depth we need at the forward position to continue to pursue an Atlantic 10 Championship," said Verdi. "She will provide scoring and rebounding and compliment the other post players on our team."
Pruitt played in 53 games with the Miners during 2019-20 and 2020-21, making nine starts and averaging 16.4 minutes per contest. In a 2020-21 campaign impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Pruitt turned in 9.3 points per night, second on the team, to go with 6.7 rebounds helping the Miners reach the Conference USA Semifinals. She set career-highs with 18 points and 13 boards in a Feb. 6 game vs. UAB, one of three double-double performances on the season, before Pruitt matching those career-bests again later in the season.
The 2020 C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll selection came to El Paso, Texas from Miami Dade College, where Pruitt was an honorable-mention WBCA All-American and first-team All-Region after averaging a double-double (16.4 ppg and 10.4 rpg) in 2018-19. She was ranked a Top-100 JUCO player and No. 25-rated power forward according to the Dan Olson Collegiate Girls Basketball Report.
Pruitt signed with Stetson out of high school and was named ASUN All-Rookie in 2017-18. She Led the conference in field-goal percentage (.544) while putting up 7.7 ppg and grabbing 5.0 rpg. The Chicago native helped Homewood-Flossmoor High School win the Suburban Conference championship and advance to sectionals.
Follow UMass women's basketball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@UMassWBB) for the latest news and updates around the team.
"Michelle is going to help give us the depth we need at the forward position to continue to pursue an Atlantic 10 Championship," said Verdi. "She will provide scoring and rebounding and compliment the other post players on our team."
Pruitt played in 53 games with the Miners during 2019-20 and 2020-21, making nine starts and averaging 16.4 minutes per contest. In a 2020-21 campaign impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Pruitt turned in 9.3 points per night, second on the team, to go with 6.7 rebounds helping the Miners reach the Conference USA Semifinals. She set career-highs with 18 points and 13 boards in a Feb. 6 game vs. UAB, one of three double-double performances on the season, before Pruitt matching those career-bests again later in the season.
The 2020 C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll selection came to El Paso, Texas from Miami Dade College, where Pruitt was an honorable-mention WBCA All-American and first-team All-Region after averaging a double-double (16.4 ppg and 10.4 rpg) in 2018-19. She was ranked a Top-100 JUCO player and No. 25-rated power forward according to the Dan Olson Collegiate Girls Basketball Report.
Pruitt signed with Stetson out of high school and was named ASUN All-Rookie in 2017-18. She Led the conference in field-goal percentage (.544) while putting up 7.7 ppg and grabbing 5.0 rpg. The Chicago native helped Homewood-Flossmoor High School win the Suburban Conference championship and advance to sectionals.
Follow UMass women's basketball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@UMassWBB) for the latest news and updates around the team.
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