When a coach recruits a player they are committed to seeing them through getting a degree, in a perfect world. But sometimes things change, players leave, coaches leave and sometimes the connection can get broken. But when Dawn Thornton left the University of Arkansas Pine-Bluff to take over at another HBCU, Alabama A&M, she didn’t lose track of her old UAPB team.
Two years ago Thornton brought in 11 transfers to play for the Lady Golden Lions. Last Saturday Thornton attended the UAPB commencement and had the opportunity to see nine of those players graduate. She posted on social media that the remaining two players are on track to graduate in the fall of 2024.
Not all of the former players will be former forever. A handful of players, four to be exact, decided to transfer from UAPB to Alabama A&M. One of the players who graduated this spring at UAPB but will continue on at AAMU is Maori Davenport. She averaged 5.6 rebounds per game along with 4.7 points as part of two woman post lineup at UAPB.
Thornton penned a special tribute to Davenport after she accepted her degree.
“The level of faith that you have in me is MORE than enough! Mo Mo, thank u for choosing me, I got us & I won’t let u down! I’m proud of you and all that you have accomplished! Crazy part is… U haven’t scratched the surface. But.. It’s time! Let’s get it Moe!,” Thornton wrote.
The other side of the post lineup for that UAPB team was held down by Maya Peat, who also had a special moment with her coach at the HBCU graduation.
“What’s understood will never have to be said… Well baby girl… it’s UR time! (You) have given me 4 wonderful years & the way I have watched u grow is simply breathtaking. I love you more than you will ever know. @mayajpeat Go be BOLD… be BEAUTIFUL… and be YOU!! #unapologetic,” she wrote.
Dawn Thornton was introduced as the Alabama A&M head coach on April 6. She had spent the past five seasons as head coach at UAPB.
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