Arnold leaving Razorback basketball team

FAYETTEVILLE – Sophomore point guard Shanita Arnold is leaving the University of Arkansas, Razorback women’s basketball coach Tom Collen announced today.

The 5-4 sophomore met with Collen earlier this week, and decided she would transfer.

“We will really miss Shanita as both a player and a person,” Collen said. “I know she is doing what is best for her.”

The Razorbacks went 18-14 this season, returning to the postseason for the first time since 2005. Arkansas reached the Sweet 16 round of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament before losing to eventual national runner-up Kansas.

“She worked very hard this year to help us rebuild the foundation of this program, and for that we will always be appreciative.”

Arnold started all 32 games this season for the Razorbacks, averaging 5.7 ppg and 2.3 apg. Playing just under 26 minutes a game, Arnold scored a career high 22 points against SMU, hitting 6-of-11 from behind the arc. In SEC play, she had double-digit scoring against Tennessee (11) and LSU (10). She played all 28 games with no starts as a freshman with 1.8 ppg, giving her a two-year career average of 3.9 ppg.

Arnold played her high school ball at Fort Smith Northside where she helped lead the Lady Bears to state championship her senior season.

The Razorbacks were deep on the perimeter this season, with three returning guards earning Southeastern Conference honors. Junior Charity Ford was named the SEC’s Sixth Player of the Year, while freshmen guards Ceira Ricketts and Lyndsay Harris were both selected to the SEC All-Freshman team. Ricketts was also the SEC Co-Freshman of the Year and the Associated Press SEC Newcomer of the Year.

“We wish her the best,” Collen said. “I believe she would be in the mix among the guards again next year, but I am confident she will find the right opportunity for her.”