April 27, 2009
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Angela Puleo, a two-year starter for the University of Georgia women’s basketball team, will transfer to Vanderbilt and join the Commodores, Head Coach Melanie Balcomb announced Monday.
A 5-9 guard from Maryville, Tenn., Puleo will have two years of eligibility remaining after sitting out the 2009-10 season due to NCAA transfer regulations — putting her on pace to graduate with the Class of 2012.
“We’re very excited to have Angela Puleo join our program,” Balcomb said. “We knew she was an outstanding player coming out of high school, and we know she’ll have a great impact on our team from the day she arrives.”
Puleo was named a Freshman All-Southeastern Conference selection following the 2007-08 season which saw her start 32 games and average 8.2 points per contest. In only two seasons in Athens, she scored over 500 points and made 60 starts for the Lady Bulldogs. A four-year starter at William Blount High School, Puleo was a finalist for Class AAA Ms. Basketball in the state of Tennessee as a prep.
“I really wanted to stay in the SEC,” Puleo said. “Vanderbilt was my first choice because I like the way Coach Balcomb runs the program. She has a great staff and I think I’ll fit into the system well. It will be fun to get a fresh start.”
Duo departing Vanderbilt
Balcomb also acknowledged Monday that sophomore Chanel Chisholm and freshman Tia Gibbs have announced their intentions to transfer from Vanderbilt.
“We wish both Chanel and Tia nothing but the best in their future endeavors,” Balcomb said.
Chisholm, a 5-11 forward from North Babylon, N.Y., averaged 5.0 points per game in 34 contests as a reserve this season. Gibbs, a 5-9 guard from Louisville, Ky., scored 5.1 points per game in 29 appearances off the bench.