Junior Sharwil Bell was awarded the Rhodes Student-Athlete of the month for the second time during her career at Rhodes College. She received the recognition during her sophomore year as well. Along with Rhodes Student-Athlete of the Month, Bell earned SCAC Newcomer-of-the Year in 2010.
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Sharwil is not a typical Rhodes athlete. Her story of success started during her freshman year at Elon University. As a Division I basketball player, Bell averaged fourteen points a game. She also started in three games. However, the lure of being close to home brought her back to Memphis.
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“I came back to Memphis and went to Rhodes because, at Rhodes, athletes play sports out of love. There is no obligation or pressure to play when you do not have a full-scholarship,” said Bell.
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As a Memphis-native, Bell moved back home and joined the Rhodes community and hasn’t stopped since. Her awards on and off the court show her degree of range.
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During her sophomore year, Bell was on academic honor roll for the year. She was awarded SCAC Player of the Week and Co-Most Valuable Player for the 2009-2011 Season. At the same time, she was a member of the Fellowship for Christian Athletes (FCA).
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Bell’s success continued into her junior year. While averaging 19.1 points and 8.8 points a game, she earned Academic Honor roll and Beta Beta Beta National Honor society for biology. One of her biggest achievements of the year was earning a spot on the 2010-11 Capital One Academic All-District Women’s Basketball First Team.
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With all of her successes and awards, Bell remains incredibly modest. “I do not have a particular pre-game ritual, I just put on my basketball shoes,” said Bell. She does not boast about her accomplishments or brag about her talents. She has become one of the many who excels and sets a high standard for a Rhodes College Student-Athlete.Â
Photo credits: rhodeslynx.com