University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Sign Grad Transfer Janay Sanders
5/3/2023 8:44:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Sanders Spent Three Seasons at App State, One at LaSalle
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – University of Minnesota women's basketball head coach Dawn Plitzuweit has announced the signing of Janay (juh-NAY) Sanders for the 2023-24 season.
"Janay is a versatile guard and she brings a veteran presence to our team," Plitzuweit said. "Janay is entering her final season of collegiate basketball and we are excited that she will do so in a Minnesota uniform. Janay is an exceptional student who has already earned her undergraduate and master's degree and now will be adding to her educational resume at the University of Minnesota. On the basketball court, Janay has a great knack for scoring, for getting to the rim to create for herself and for her teammates, and she gets to the free throw line at a great rate. She also has the ability to defend multiple positions with her length, athleticism and understanding of the game. We are so excited to welcome Janay and her entire family into our Gopher Women's Basketball family!"
Janay Sanders | Charlotte, N.C. | Mallard Creek | Appalachian State/LaSalle
Sanders will join the Golden Gophers with one year of eligibility after spending the previous three seasons with Appalachian State and one with LaSalle. Sanders led App State in scoring last season at 13.5 points per contest while also averaging 3.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. During Sun Belt Conference play Sanders was ninth in steals per contest last season at 1.7 and averaged 13.2 points per game, which was 15th in the league. During her redshirt junior campaign in 2021-22 Sanders earned Third-Team All-Sun Belt Conference honors after finishing with an average of 13.8 points and 2.4 assists while shooting 56.2 percent from the floor during conference play.
Prior to App State the Charlotte, N.C. native played one season at LaSalle, where she was third on the team with 20 starts in 26 of her appearances, while she led the team in assists per game (3.0). Sanders was tied for eighth in the A-10 Conference in assists, fourth among all freshmen in assists per game and eighth in assists per 40 minutes (4.2).
Prior to LaSalle, Sanders posted a successful career at Mallard Creek, earning a varsity letter all four seasons. She was named to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) All-State Second Team after averaging 13 points per game. She was an all-conference selection her junior and senior years while participating all four years in outdoor track & field. Edwards was a four-time state competitor in high jump and three-time state participant in long jump.
Sanders is the daughter of Renee and Malcolm. Her brother, Jalen Sanders, played basketball at App State from 2014-16, while her father walked on for the Mountaineers.
For more information on the Gophers, continue to check back with GopherSports.com. Keep up with the University of Minnesota women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@GopherWBB) and on Facebook, so you do not miss any content during the offseason.
"Janay is a versatile guard and she brings a veteran presence to our team," Plitzuweit said. "Janay is entering her final season of collegiate basketball and we are excited that she will do so in a Minnesota uniform. Janay is an exceptional student who has already earned her undergraduate and master's degree and now will be adding to her educational resume at the University of Minnesota. On the basketball court, Janay has a great knack for scoring, for getting to the rim to create for herself and for her teammates, and she gets to the free throw line at a great rate. She also has the ability to defend multiple positions with her length, athleticism and understanding of the game. We are so excited to welcome Janay and her entire family into our Gopher Women's Basketball family!"
Janay Sanders | Charlotte, N.C. | Mallard Creek | Appalachian State/LaSalle
Sanders will join the Golden Gophers with one year of eligibility after spending the previous three seasons with Appalachian State and one with LaSalle. Sanders led App State in scoring last season at 13.5 points per contest while also averaging 3.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. During Sun Belt Conference play Sanders was ninth in steals per contest last season at 1.7 and averaged 13.2 points per game, which was 15th in the league. During her redshirt junior campaign in 2021-22 Sanders earned Third-Team All-Sun Belt Conference honors after finishing with an average of 13.8 points and 2.4 assists while shooting 56.2 percent from the floor during conference play.
Prior to App State the Charlotte, N.C. native played one season at LaSalle, where she was third on the team with 20 starts in 26 of her appearances, while she led the team in assists per game (3.0). Sanders was tied for eighth in the A-10 Conference in assists, fourth among all freshmen in assists per game and eighth in assists per 40 minutes (4.2).
Prior to LaSalle, Sanders posted a successful career at Mallard Creek, earning a varsity letter all four seasons. She was named to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) All-State Second Team after averaging 13 points per game. She was an all-conference selection her junior and senior years while participating all four years in outdoor track & field. Edwards was a four-time state competitor in high jump and three-time state participant in long jump.
Sanders is the daughter of Renee and Malcolm. Her brother, Jalen Sanders, played basketball at App State from 2014-16, while her father walked on for the Mountaineers.
For more information on the Gophers, continue to check back with GopherSports.com. Keep up with the University of Minnesota women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@GopherWBB) and on Facebook, so you do not miss any content during the offseason.
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