Leah Church UNC women's basketball
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UNC Women’s Basketball Guard Leah Church Forgoes Senior Year

Landon Bost

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Former North Carolina women’s basketball guard Leah Church announced last night on social media that she will graduate in December and forgo her senior year at Carolina.

Church, a native of Purlear, N.C., played in 88 games, starting 10, and averaged four points per game in her Carolina career. 

“Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love Carolina and how much I love basketball,” stated Church in her post on Instagram and Twitter.

“It’s been my life. Coach (Sylvia) Hatchell fulfilled my lifelong dream of being a Tar Heel when she gave me a scholarship and opportunity to play for her. I appreciate Coach (Courtney) Banghart for the opportunity she gave me to finish out my career at UNC. However, I feel that it is time to move on to my next chapter, whatever that may be. I’m forever grateful for UNC.

North Carolina women's basketball junior guard Leah Church shoots a 3-pointer against Virginia at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C., Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020. UNC defeated UVA 78-68. Church announced that she will forgo senior year of eligibility at Carolina on social media Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Photo © Landon Bost 2020.
North Carolina women’s basketball junior guard Leah Church shoots a 3-pointer against Virginia at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C., Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020. UNC defeated UVA 78-68. Church announced that she will forgo senior year of eligibility at Carolina on social media Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Photo © Landon Bost 2020.

Church was a 3-point specialist at North Carolina. She attempted her first 2-point field goal last season in the 23rd game against Virginia Tech. Church still has one year of eligibility left if she decides to grad transfer.

“There have been ups and downs to say the least, but I know I have been where God wanted me and unfortunately, it’s no longer the right fit,” stated Church who has attended UNC basketball camps since the age of seven.

“This is hard … I’m not going to lie, there have been many tears shed, but I have peace and that means a lot. I’m looking forward to having that joy back that seems to have gotten lost in it all.”

North Carolina lost three of its top-4 scorers. Church became the sixth player to leave UNC early since its final game in March. Only three returning players registered minutes in a Carolina uniform last year season.

Banghart brought in five prospects in UNC’s 2020 recruiting class. Five-star guard Deja Kelly headlines the class as the tenth-ranked player in ESPN’s top-100.

North Carolina also added Michigan transfer Ariel Young, with three years of eligibility, and Illinois grad transfer guard Petra Holešínká.

She stared all 30 games at Illinois and led them in scoring, 12.6 points per game, and 3-point shooting, 41 percent shooting from behind the arc on 71 made 3-pointers.

(Feature image courtesy of Landon Bost)