Submitted by California State University East Bay
Cal State East Bay head women’s basketball coach Shanele Stires has announced the signing of 6’1″ forward Savannah McGill (Lacey, Wash.), who will compete as a junior in 2017-18 after spending the past two years at South Puget Sound College.
McGill joins the Pioneers after a standout career at the junior college level in which she averaged just under 17 points per game and set virtually every rebounding record in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC).
“We are thrilled to have Savannah join our East Bay family!” Stires commented. “Her ability to shoot the ball, coupled with her outstanding rebounding abilities make her a double-double threat every night. She will bring much-needed depth to the post position.”
McGill was a standout prep player at River Ridge High School and received interest from several program, ultimately choosing SPSC in order to refine and improve her game before moving on to a four-year school. And improve it she did. McGill was named NWAC Western Region Freshman of the Year and selected to the All-Region First Team after setting the conference’s single-season rebounding record. She pulled in 456 total boards as a rookie for an average of 15.7 per game, to go along with 16.8 points per game on 45 percent shooting.
McGill was somehow even more dominant on the glass as a sophomore, breaking her own rebound record with 471 for the 2016-17 season. She also set the NWAC records for career rebounds (927) and highest single-season rebound average (19.6). She also averaged 17.0 points and 2.0 blocks, earning the Western Region Defensive Player of the Year award and once again capturing First Team All-Region honors.
McGill reached double figures in rebounds in every single game this past season and had 10 games with at least 20 rebounds, including a high of 29 vs. Linn-Benton College. During her career at SPSC, she tallied 45 double-doubles in 53 total games.
“Savannah quickly fit in well with our players when she visited,” Stires added. “Her championship mindset, coach-ability, and versatility will be a welcomed addition to our family. Pioneer fans are going to enjoy watching her compete.”
McMill joins a CSUEB squad coming off its third straight 20-win season and its second straight California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) tournament championships. She figures to form a formidable front court alongside All-CCAA forward Morgan Greene, the conference’s leading rebounder in 2016-17.
