If she could lace-up and don a black, while and yellow Colonels jersey today, Mikayla Fee would hit the hardwood at first chance.
On Tuesday, surrounded by family and friends, Fee signed her letter of intent to play college basketball at Centre College.
“I’m really excited. I want to get down there right now,” Fee said. “Since I was little, (college ball) has kind of been a goal. I started getting really serious about it last year. It makes me so happy to accomplish a goal I’ve had — it means it’s not quite over yet.”
Centre, located Danville, Kentucky, is an NCAA Division III program that plays in the Southern Athletic Association.
The Colonels have won 12 conference titles while making seven NCAA Tournament appearances with two Final Four berths.
The Colonels also have boasted five All-Americans from the program.
Wendie Austin-Robinson just completed her 19th season as head coach with the Colonels.
“I really like the coaching staff and girls down there,” Fee said. “I’ve seen a couple of their games and think I will mesh well with them. They have some really good back-to-the-basket players. I’m going to be able to face-up a little more and shoot, which is part of why they want to add me to their program.”
Seymour head coach Jason Longmeier said that Fee’s combination of size and shooting ability will transcend to the college level.
“I think she will play as a stretch between the four and five,” Longmeier said. “The thing is, with our (Hoosier Hills) conference and the way we play, she isn’t going to see something she hasn’t already seen. She has had to guard the perimeter and post, big strong kids and small fast ones. I think she will be able to step in immediately and be able to compete.”
Longmeier said that Fee’s mid-range shooting also will serve the Colonels well.
“She’s one of the better mid-range kids we’ve seen in a long time,” Longmeier said. “Her 15-foot shot is great. She has also gotten a lot stronger and can play with her back to the basket. She’s a great defensive player when she puts her mind to it, too.”
Fee said that she looks forward to doing a lot of traveling with the team.
“I’m looking forward to meeting new people,” she said. “I’m really happy to be going down to Kentucky. I really like the state.”
The Seymour senior plans on studying behavioral neuroscience prior to earning her masters in occupational therapy.