After stellar season, star freshman Diamond DeShields to leave North Carolina

UPDATE
4/24/14

DeShields posted a Twitter message about her decision:

4/17/14
Diamond DeShields, the nation’s top freshman of 2013-14, is transferring from North Carolina according to reports. The Herald-Sun in Durham first reported the decision by the star player to leave the Tar Heels. Along with a top-ranked freshman class, she helped lead the team to a 27-10 season and their first Elite Eight appearance since 2008.

Hall of Fame coach Sylvia Hatchell was out for the season receiving treatment for leukemia. “I do not know or understand why Diamond DeShields has decided to leave The University of North Carolina,”she said in a statement.

“As most everyone knows, I was out and missed the entire season with leukemia. Thankfully, I’m in complete remission and will be back 100 percent for next season. It breaks my heart that I will not have the opportunity to coach Diamond and help develop her on and off the court. I love her and wish her well.”

DeShields set the program’s single-game and single-season scoring records. She scored 648 points, more than any freshman in Atlantic Coast Conference history. She averaged 18.0 points and 5.4 rebounds per contest.