Former MN High School Standout Joins Gophers

MINNEAPOLIS - University of Minnesota head women’s basketball coach Marlene Stollings today announced that 5-foot-10 sophomore guard Allina Starr will return to her hometown of Minneapolis, Minn., to play for the Golden Gophers beginning this spring.

Starr, a transfer from Auburn University, will begin practicing with the Gophers immediately, but must sit out one year due to NCAA transfer rules. She will be eligible to play at the conclusion of the 2015 fall semester and will have three years of remaining eligibility.

“Allina is a proven winner and a welcome addition to the Gopher family,” Stollings said. “We are excited to have a local superstar return home.” 

Starr played for DeLaSalle High School from 2009-13 and helped lead the Islanders to three state titles (2011-13) and an overall record of 115-20 during her five-year career. The guard scored 20 points in the 2013 state championship game to be named to the all-tournament team for the third-consecutive year.

As a senior, Starr averaged 18.9 points and 9.1 assists per game in being named to the 2013 Minnesota AP All-State Team. Starr also earned all-conference and all-metro accolades in her final three years at DeLaSalle.

“I'm excited to finally have one of my former players return to Minnesota to become a Golden Gopher,” DeLaSalle head girl’s basketball coach Faith Johnson Patterson, who was inducted into the 2012 Minnesota Girls’ Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, said. “It has been a goal of mine for years to be able to produce athletes that can stay at home and help bring success to our home team. I'm excited about Allina being able to grow and have the opportunity to be mentored and coached by an incredible staff led by Marlene Stollings.”

Following her prep career, Starr played one season at Auburn, where she appeared in 20 games for the Tigers and averaged 2.5 assists per game.

Source: Gophersports.com