Syracuse transfer Tasia Butler headed to JMU

James Madison women’s basketball welcomes Tasia Butler, a 6-1 guard and a native of Waldorf, Maryland, to the team as she transfers from Syracuse.  Due to NCAA transfer rules, she will sit out the 2014-15 season and have three years of eligibility remaining.

Butler appeared in 16 games as a freshman at Syracuse during the 2013-14 campaign.  She scored 11 points for the Orange and added 15 rebounds, one block and one assist.  She made her collegiate debut on Nov. 10, 2014 in a 69-65 win at washington state.

Prior to her time at Syracuse, Butler was a four-star recruit coming out of North Point High School.  ESPN Hoopgurlz ranked her the 73rd overall recruit of the 2013 class and 12th among guards while the All Star Girls Report ranked her 89th overall. She led the Eagles to the 2013 Maryland 4A State Championship to cap a perfect 27-0 season as she left North Point as the all-time leading scorer (1,363 points).  USA Today recognized her on its All-Maryland First Team roster while the Washington Post tabbed her for its All-Met First Team.

The Dukes posted a 29-6 overall record in 2013-14, tying a school record in wins.  They swept the conference championships, earning both the Colonial Athletic Association regular-season title and the tournament championship, as well as tallied their first win in the NCAA tournament since 1991 (W, 72-63 over Gonzaga).