With the announcement that Aisha Sheppard is returning for a second senior season, consider the return of her significant statistical contributions.

Rankings below are based on ACC games only. VT played 16 conference games. The leaders include averages by ACC players who had FAR fewer games, such as Duke (1 ACC game) and UVA (2).

SHEPPARD FOR THE 2020-21 SEASON:

#3 in ACC scoring at 19.8 points per game. (The player ranked #2 was in just two games, so arguably Sheppard could be viewed as the real #2. Who was #1? Dana Evans of Louisville, who was named ACC Player of the Year for a second consecutive time. A couple of WNBA mock drafts I looked at projected Evans in the top 5 picks. Sheppard would arguably be the ACC’s leading returning scorer in 2021-22).

#2 in three-pointers made per game. (Arguably she was #1, as the top-ranked player was in only two ACC games).

#3 in three-point shooting percentage for season. (Arguably was #2, as the #2-ranked player was in only two games).

#5 in free throw percentage, at 85%.

#16 in overall field goal percentage.

#16 in assists average.

#10 in assists to turnovers ratio

#11 in minutes played per game

Now, consider some other ACC statistical leaders (underclassmen) from VT who return.

ELIZABETH KITLEY:

#4 in ACC scoring at 18.5 points per game. (Arguably was #3 based on games played, and therefore behind only Evans and Sheppard in scoring).

#4 in field goal percentage, at 51%. (Arguably was #3).

#2 in rebounding per game

#3 in blocks per game. (Arguably was #2.).

#16 in free throw percentage, at 76%.

#11 in minutes/game. (Arguably was #7, as four players ranked ahead of her had stats based on playing 2,2, 1 and 1 games on the season).

GEORGIA AMOORE:

#2 in ACC assists per game as a true freshman point guard.

#4 in assist-to-turnover ratio. (Two-time ACC Player of the Year Dana Evans was #3).

On free throw shooting, it would appear that Amoore should have appeared near the top of ACC leaders but was somehow omitted? Amoore made 24 of 26 FT and shot 92.3% in 16 conference games. The ACC lists the top 22 FT shooters. While Amoore’s attempts were on the low side, two players listed among the top 22 had fewer attempts AND a lower percentage for ACC games. One was 5-6 (83.3%) and another was 8-11 (72.7%). If Amoore indeed should have qualified for the FT leaders group, her 92.3% would have finished SECOND BEST in the ACC, behind only player of the year Evans who shot 96.6%.

AZANA BAINES was 21st in ACC rebounds per game. (Arguably was 19th).