by By Jaden Johnson, USU communications
LOGAN, Utah – Utah State head women’s basketball coach Kayla Ard announced the signing of E’Lease Stafford (Lawrence, Kan.) to the 2021-22 roster on Wednesday.
Stafford (Navajo Nation), a 6-foot guard/forward, will join the team as a senior who is immediately able to compete with two years of eligibility remaining after transferring from East Tennessee State. She played three seasons for the Buccaneers, appearing in 77 contests. As a sophomore, Stafford started 29 games, averaging 10.7 points and 4.2 boards per outing while shooting a team-best 36.2 percent (42-of-116) from 3-point range. She went for a career-high 29 points against Western Carolina, sinking six 3-pointers.
Last season at ETSU, Stafford played all 20 games and made five starts. She averaged 7.0 points and 2.2 rebounds per game during conference play, including a season-high 17 point outing at Wofford.
“I’m really excited to have E’Lease jumping on board with us,” Ard said. “This young lady is a hooper, and she can score the ball at all three levels while also being a very good rebounder. I love her confidence in shooting from deep. She is a very nice addition for us and will be a great fit. She’s a great person from a great family.”
Stafford prepped at Lawrence (Kan.) HS, where she also played volleyball and ran cross country. She was a McDonald’s all-American nominee her senior year in 2017, as she helped her team to their first 6A state tournament appearance since 2008. She was also named to the Sunflower League and Tokepa Capital first teams, and earned all-area honors.
