RCW: Sport Spotlight 4.24 (Women's Basketball)
Thanks for another great season in Allen Fieldhouse! #KUwbb #RockChalk pic.twitter.com/GjVVm9u6oN
— Kansas Women’s Bball (@KUWBball) February 28, 2018
We love you too, Amanda! #ThankYouSeniors
A post shared by Kansas Women’s Basketball (@kuwbball) on Feb 27, 2018 at 5:05pm PST
Prior to the start of Tuesday night’s game against Iowa State, Kansas women’s basketball celebrated the careers of its three-member senior class. Guard Sydney Benoit, forward Chayla Cheadle and guard Eboni Watts stepped onto the court inside Allen Fieldhouse one last time in front of a home crowd for the 2018 regular-season finale against the Cyclones.
The 2018 senior class helped the Jayhawks reach new heights to start the 2017-18 campaign with a seven-game win streak. The 7-0 start marked the longest winning streak under head coach Brandon Schneider and just the eighth time in program history that Kansas has begun a season 7-0.
A native of Smith Center, Kansas, Benoit appeared in 23 games and has played a total of 157 minutes off the bench for the Jayhawks during her three-year career. As a senior, Benoit has been a constant source of energy and spark for Kansas. Her role has increased in her final season in the Crimson and Blue after appearing in 23 of KU’s 29 regular-season games.
Over her career, Benoit has recorded 11 points, 14 rebounds, nine assists, six steals and a block. She connected on 50 percent of her attempts from the free throw line. Benoit netted a pair of triples, including her first against Texas (1/31) in Allen Fieldhouse. Benoit has already graduated with a degree in exercise science and has been taking postgraduate coursework ahead of going to physician’s assistant school.
A product of Macon, Georgia, Watts has appeared in 28 games and played 156 minutes over the last two seasons donning the Crimson and Blue. Watts has provided speed off the bench and added depth to the backcourt throughout her two years with the Jayhawks.
Watts has registered 19 points, 24 rebounds, 10 assists and five steals over the last two seasons. She recorded a career-best five points on the road at St. John’s (12/18), while grabbing a career-high six boards. Watts will graduate with a degree in liberal arts and sciences in May.
Hailing from Columbia, Missouri, Cheadle is the only four-year letterwinner in this year’s senior class. Over the last four years, Cheadle has appeared in 117 games and made 89 starts, while playing 2,702 minutes. Whether she’s in the starting lineup or the first Jayhawk off the bench, Cheadle has made the most of her time in a Kansas uniform.
Cheadle has notched 572 points and 442 rebounds in her career, while also recording 142 assists, 19 blocks and 94 steals. As a junior, Cheadle lead the Jayhawks in rebounding with 141 boards. During her career, Cheadle has connected on 32.1 percent of her shots from the floor. Cheadle will graduate in May with a degree in sociology and a minor in applied behavioral science.
All three members of the 2018 senior class earned Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors during their final season with the Jayhawks.
