ROCKINGHAM — A moment in the making since she was five years old was celebrated by Jamyia Lindsey Monday.
The standout senior point guard for the Richmond Senior High School girls’ basketball team held a National Letter of Intent signing day in the school’s gymnasium.
In front of dozens of classmates, teammates, friends, family members, current and former teachers and the varsity football team, Lindsey made her future final with North Carolina A&T State University.
During the summer of 2022, Lindsey attended a camp at NC A&T, which is when she received the offer.
Prior to her signing, athletic director James Johnson called Lindsey a “real student-athlete” and a “genuine person” on and off the basketball court.
Sitting between her mom and dad, Taneika Reader and Larry Lindsey, Lindsey signed her NLI. She became the second Richmond basketball player in two years to sign with a Division I program, following in the footsteps of Paul McNeil Jr. (North Carolina State University).
“Today was nerve-racking, I think I get shy around a lot of people, but I’m so thankful to have all of the support and my loved ones here on this special day,” Lindsey said. “It was really great.
“I think it’s very special to see both my mom and my hard work pay off,” she continued. “She started me in sports at a young age to work toward getting a Division I scholarship, and now she’s here to lead the team to a state championship during my senior season.”
Reader was named Richmond’s interim head basketball coach last month after serving as an assistant coach for several seasons. She addressed the crowd from a parent standpoint.
“I put my kids in sports at the age of five because I wanted them to enjoy it and learn to share and work with other people,” Reader shared. “Juicy picked up basketball at an early age and it was easy to get her to practice.
“All of that hard work has led to her being able to go on to college and have a four-year opportunity to compete,” she added. “One of our goals was to achieve this and have the chance to earn a free education. From a parent’s perspective, I’m proud of my daughter and I’m looking forward to the next level.”
The Lady Raider basketball team opens its season at home Tuesday against Panther Creek High School. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Lindsey begins her senior season as the reigning NCHSAA 4A East leading scorer, having averaged 24.8 points per game as a junior.
“I hope to continue to get better with my outside shooting,” Lindsey said of future improvements. “And I want to shoot fewer layups and become more of a three-level shooter than I already am.
“I’d like to reach 2,000 career points,” she closed. “And break any school records I can this season.”
Below are photos of Lindsey’s signing, taken by sports editor Kyle Pillar.
