Shelomi Sanders, daughter of NFL legend and current Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, made her much-anticipated debut this week with the Alabama A&M Bulldogs. After a challenging year at Colorado, she’s ready to establish her own identity in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
In her first appearance in a Bulldogs uniform, Shelomi wasted no time showcasing her talents. Despite limited playing time—just ten minutes on the court—she managed to rack up an impressive 14 points, along with one rebound, one assist, and two steals. Her shooting performance was noteworthy as well, hitting 41.6% of her field goal attempts and draining 40% of her three-pointers, signaling a bright outlook for the season ahead.
Last season at Colorado, Shelomi faced hurdles in finding her rhythm, averaging only 11 minutes on the floor and netting just one basket throughout the entire year—a three-pointer against Air Force. This struggle contributed to her decision to transfer, driven by a desire for a more supportive environment that would allow her to develop as both a player and a person. In a candid moment during an Instagram Live session, she expressed her frustrations: “I don’t want to say anything too bad. It just wasn’t good energy. It wasn’t good vibes… If I didn’t leave when I did, I promise you I would’ve quit.”
Shelomi previously joined her father and siblings, Shedeur and Shilo, at Jackson State during his tenure there, but she chose not to compete for the women’s basketball team that season. As a result, her debut with Alabama A&M marks the beginning of a new chapter in her athletic journey.