Another former Fayette County resident is likely to become the area’s latest pro athlete in the coming weeks.
Elem Ibiam, a standout on the basketball court with the Fayette County Lady Tigers, has just wrapped up her college career at South Carolina and is considering offers to join a WNBA camp as a free agent.
Ibiam was not selected in last Thursday’s WNBA draft, but a South Carolina newspaper reported that she is talking to her agent about her options and has heard from at least three teams.
The WNBA regular season tips off in early June and runs throughout the summer.
Ibiam, a 6-foot-4 center for the Gamecocks, saw significant action all four seasons in college and spent the past two as a starter and captain.
Her collegiate career ended on a high note as the team finished with a 34-3 record, an SEC championship and a Women’s Final Four appearance, losing 66-65 to Notre Dame in the national semifinals in Tampa.
The Gamecocks won at least 25 games each of the last four seasons and had two Sweet 16 appearances in addition to this year’s Final Four.
Ibiam’s college coach was Dawn Staley, a former college and pro star as well as a three-time Olympic gold medalist and inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Ibiam set a school record for blocked shots her junior season and finished her career second all-time in that category. She averaged 6.1 points and 3.2 rebounds for the Gamecocks.
