MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama women's basketball head coach Terry Fowler announced Thursday afternoon that Shaforia Kines (Birmingham, Ala.) has signed a National Letter-of-Intent and will join the Jaguar roster during the 2016-17 season.  

"We needed to bring another point guard into our program and the addition of Shaforia Kines will give us great depth at that position," Fowler said.  "Sha' really loves the game of basketball and a great IQ.  She also has an unbelievable skill set.  Sha can really shoot the ball, pass and handle it.  She also has a great demeanor on the floor – doesn't get too high, doesn't get too low.  She is just very consistent.  We're excited for her to join our program."

Kines joins Kennedi Centers (New Braunfels, Texas), Savannah Jones (Ocean Springs, Miss.) and Camryn London (Birmingham, Ala.) in this year's class as the latter three signed NLI's back during the fall .

Shaforia Kines
5-7 – Guard
Huffman High School (Vikings)
Birmingham, Ala.

Kines signs with the Jaguars after lettering at Huffman High School in Birmingham, Ala., for head coach Lin Slater where she scored over 1,500 points during her career.

As a senior, Kines led the Vikings to a 26-8 overall record and a 7-1 mark in region play.  The 5-7 guard also averaged 16.9 points per game this past season, while also averaging 4.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 4.0 steals per game.  For her play, Kines was one of five players from Alabama to be nominated as a 2016 McDonald's All-American, joining Tyra Johnson (Austin), Cierra Johnson (Blount), Kaitlyn Rodgers (Wenonah) and Jasmine Walker (Jeff Davis).

Kines also led Huffman to the program's first 6A Northeast Regional championship where she had 33 points against two-time defending regional champ Shades Valley and fellow signee Camryn London.   In the 60-49 win, Kines was 11-of-16 from the field, including 5-of-8 from behind the three-point arc and also knocked down six of her free throw attempts en route to earning regional MVP honors.  At the start of the '15-16 season, Kines was named to AL.com's A-List Best of the Rest.

As a junior, Kines averaged 20 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.5 apg and 4.0 spg, as she was a second-team Alabama Sports Writers Association 6A all-state selection.  

Over the course of her prep career, Kines has also lettered in volleyball and softball.  She also has experience at the AAU level competing for Essence Black Nike Team based out of Florida.

2016 Class
Kennedi Centers – 6-2 – Forward – New Braunfels, Texas – Samuel Clemens High School (Buffaloes)
Savannah Jones – 6-1 – Guard – Ocean Springs, Miss. – St. Martin HS (Yellow Jackets)
Shaforia Kines – 5-7 – Guard – Birmingham, Ala. – Huffman High School (Vikings)
Camryn London – 5-7 – Guard – Birmingham, Ala. – Shades Valley High School (Mounties)

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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