FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Two of the best players in the recent history of Nova Southeastern Women’s Basketball are making a return to campus, but this time, as coaches. Former Sharks Alison Hughes and McKenah Peters are joining their former coach, LeAnn Freeland-Curry, on the bench.
“I was really excited to have the opportunity to hire both Hughes and Peters. They were both good players in our system, so they immediately understand what we’re looking to do,” said Freeland-Curry. “They understand the system well, and they really connect well with our current players..”
Hughes started her career at Minnesota-Crookston before finishing her collegiate career as a Shark. The Wisconsin native put up 13.8 points per game in her two-year career, as well as breaking the program’s single-season record for three-point field goals made (100) on the second-highest efficiency in program history (44.6%). Hughes was also a two-time member of the All-SSC Second Team in 2017-18 and 2018-19 for the Sharks. In addition, Hughes was also named to the All-SSC Newcomer Team for the 2017-18 season.
“It was something that I was super excited about and couldn’t really turn down,” said Hughes. “The whole idea of being back where I was a college athlete and being able to just jump back into the environment and already be familiar with everything that goes on during the season, it was a no-brainer when Coach offered me the job.”
Peters played one season at NSU after transferring from NCAA Division I Youngstown State. The graduate transfer was named to the All-SSC Second Team and All-SSC Newcomer Team in her lone season as a Shark. Peters averaged 15 points per game on 40.8% from the field, 40.9% from three and 82% from the line in 2021. In addition, Peters ranks in the top-10 of NSU single-season records of three-point field goals and three-point percentage.
“It’s been my dream to coach at the collegiate level and the opportunity presented itself,” said Peters. “I’m super blessed to have the opportunity to work under Coach Freeland-Curry, and I’m just super excited to continue to learn from one of the best.”
In a year where the Sharks and Freeland-Curry are bringing in six transfers, the additions of the former players onto the staff can be helpful. As two players that transferred into the Shark Tank and played for Coach Freeland-Curry, Hughes and Peters have been through the same thing that those six players are going through right now. A change of scenery and basketball system at the same time is not the easiest thing adjust to in a short period of time.
“I feel like I can relate to them,” said Hughes. “I was in their shoes just a couple of years ago, and I can help explain things a little better if they don’t understand since I’ve already played in the system.”
The Sharks open its season in the GSC/SSC Crossover Classic on Friday, Nov. 11 at the University of Montevallo in Alabama. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Women’s Basketball, be sure to visit the team page and follow on Instagram and Twitter at @NSU_WBasketball.
