By Tom Robinson, NEPASportsNation.com
Kylie Lavelle contributed to a regular-season conference championship and earned a series of individual honors in her first season of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I women’s basketball.
Lavelle will try to add to that success in a different setting beginning next season.
The Riverside High School graduate and NEPA Elite Clark 17U AAU team alum entered the NCAA Transfer Portal Wednesday morning, setting the wheels in motion for a transfer from Drexel University.
Lavelle prepared for the move during the weekend, informing the Drexel coaches of her decision.
The health science major will complete her semester at Drexel before leaving the school, which is located in Philadelphia.
“I’m ready to explore other options,” Lavelle said. “I’ll finish this one and follow all the guidelines to remain compliant.”
Unlike in much of the NCAA’s history, current transfer rules allow players to remain eligible to play immediately at their new school as long as they work within the structure of the Transfer Portal.
Lavelle helped Drexel finish first in the Colonial Athletic Association standings and was named to the CAA All-Rookie Team. The Dragons were 21-10 and participated in the women’s National Invitational Tournament.
“I’m just excited to see about the future opportunities that might be available,” Lavelle said. “We’re hopefully going to get on a few campuses and see what makes the most sense and fulfills all my needs academically and athletically.”
Lavelle and her family thanked Drexel and its athletic program.
“Drexel has been nothing but wonderful to our daughter,” Tim Lavelle, Kylie’s father said. “The coaches, the staff and the players, I couldn’t speak highly enough about them.
“But, we are looking forward to her next opportunity.”
Lavelle was named Rookie of the Week in the CAA four times, including to begin her career and in the final week of the regular season.
The 6-foot-2 freshman forward made 34 of 52 shots (65.4 percent) while averaging 20.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in her first four college games.
After her fifth game, Lavelle missed time with an injury. She came off the bench for one game, then returned to the starting lineup, but playing less minutes.
Lavelle was 7-for-8 with 19 points in the final CAA regular-season game against North Carolina A&T.
In 24 games, Lavelle averaged 11.1 points and 3.7 rebounds in 21.0 minutes per game. She shot 45.8 percent from the floor, 32.5 percent on 3-pointers and 75.0 percent from the line.
Lavelle had 31 points against La Salle in her second college game and 28 points in 24 minutes in a late-season game against College of Charleston. She scored in double figures in her last 4 games and was 20-for-21 from the foul line in the last 6.
During her high school career, Lavelle was a three-time, Class 3A all-state selection at Riverside. Her AAU career was highlighted by a second-team Hoop Group Showcase League selection and two HGSL titles.
