by KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Women’s basketball has announced the signing of local grad transfer from Utah State, E’Lease Stafford (Navajo), whose hometown is Lawrence, Kansas. Stafford is a six-foot guard who can play the perimeter and also be effective as a stretch four. She brings experience and the ability to knock down shots from outside, while also using her athleticism inside to block shots and control the boards.
“We are so very excited to bring E’Lease back home to finish her career strong,” Head Coach Jackson-Durrett said. “She adds another layer to this signing class, as well as experience. We are looking forward to her playing a huge role for us this upcoming season. We will gain an advantage with her ability to score the ball complimented by her athleticism. E’Lease brings energy and a commitment to being a role model, she is a perfect fit for this program.”
E’Lease Stafford | G/F | Lawrence, KS | Utah State University | East Tennessee State | Lawrence HS
2021-22 (Utah State): Appeared in 29 games, making 26 starts… Averaged 9.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game … Led the Aggies in blocks (28) and tied for third in assists (50) … Scored in double figures 15 times, including a season-high 17 points against Fresno State on March 2 … Collected double-digit rebounds in eight contests, including a career-high 13 boards against Fresno State in the first round of the Mountain West Tournament on March 6… Registered five double-doubles during the season … Had multiple blocks in nine games, including a career-high four against Wyoming on Jan. 22 … Shot 41.7 percent (100-of-240) from the floor, 29.3 percent (27-of-92) from behind the arc and 80.8 percent (42-of-52) at the free throw line.
2020-21 (East Tennessee State): Started in five games while appearing in all 20 contests for the Bucs … Was nominated to the Preseason All-SoCon Team … Averaged 6.1 points per game … Grabbed her first double-digit performance of the season against Wofford on Jan. 16, playing 33 minutes while scoring 17 points … Helped the Bucs upset #1 Samford in the SoCon Tournament with a five-point, six-rebound performance.
2019-20 (East Tennessee State): Appeared in all 30 games while starting 29 … Second amongst qualifying Buccaneers in scoring average, booking 10.7 points per game while boosting that mark in league play to 12.9, tied for 10th in the conference during SoCon games … Averaged 4.2 rebounds per game, third best on team … Denied 19 shots, tallying the second most blocks for the Bucs … Earned her first career start in season opener, logging her first career double-digit scoring game, dropping 13 points while snagging six rebounds … Scored a career-high 29 points against Western Carolina .. .Made a team-best 42 three-pointers, including 26 of her 61 attempts during Southern Conference play, the 42.6 percent conversion rate during league games pacing SoCon shooters … Grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds against UNC-Asheville, a game she also had 10 points, her lone double-double of the season … Set a career-high five steals versus Wake Forest in the Bucs 67-60 upset of the Demon Deacons.
2018-19 (East Tennessee State): Appeared in all but four games in her freshman season with the Blue and Gold, claiming 18 points and 11 rebounds in 136 total minutes.
High School (Lawrence HS): A four-time letterwinner at Lawrence (Kansas) High School… Was a 2017 McDonald’s All-American nominee … Averaged 15.1 points, six rebounds and two steals per game as a senior … Helped lead the Lions to their first Class 6A state tournament appearance since 2008 … Was named to the Sunflower League first team three times during her career, and earned Kansas City all-metro honors twice… Was a member of the Native American Top 50 All-Star Team in 2017… Also competed in volleyball and cross country.
Personal: Born October 19, 1999 …. Daughter of Teresa Stafford and DeMill Davis… Has two sisters and one brother… Also speaks Navajo … Played for the Kansas City Phenom program … Knows how to play the cello … Majoring in Kinesiology.
Why Kansas City?: “I chose Kansas City to be closer to home and represent my hometown.”
