A mutual connection can change everything. That is certainly the case for Women's Basketball sophomore Britnay Gore, who just signed with Penn State University on Friday after an incredible journey led her to play Power 5 basketball, the first player in the program to do so in nearly 25 years.
When Gore moved to the United States from Antigua, Caribbean, she stayed with her uncle and cousin in Atlanta, Ga. Through her extended family's church music ministry, she met Debbie Miller-Palmore, a Naismith Hall of Fame nominee who played at Boston University and was a member of the 1980 Olympic team. Miller-Palmore then opened up her gym for Gore to continue to play basketball and also let her assist with her gym's camps. Miller-Palmore, seeing her potential, then began to look for colleges where Gore could continue her basketball career.
"I knew Britnay would be special when I saw her size, athleticism, and how tough-minded and determined she was," said Miller-Palmore. "If you have these qualities, it makes you a coach's dream. She just needed to work on her skill-set, but I knew the right coach would be able to develop her quickly since she already had these tools."
Miller-Palmore had the right coach in mind. After she and Cleveland State Head Coach Evelyn Thompson spoke at the same event to develop high school basketball players, she knew Thompson was the perfect candidate.
Thompson then travelled the 120 or so miles down to Atlanta, Ga. to scout the recruit that her friend Miller-Palmore said she had to see. After watching Gore's workout, Thompson was as impressed as she was. Later on, Gore officially signed with the Lady Cougars and became Thompson's first recruit in her coaching tenure. Cleveland State was the only school that recruited Gore in the process.
"I knew she was going to be special from the start," said Thompson.
Two years later, Gore leaves Cleveland State as one of the most decorated players in program history. The 6'2", two-time TCCAA All-Conference First-Team member holds multiple program records, including single-season rebounds per game, career rebounds per game, career blocks and single-season blocks. Gore was also named Cleveland State's 2020 Hugh Walker Female Athlete of the Year and won the PACE Award for her excellence in calculus. Thompson feels such a bond to Gore through everything, which makes this time extra bittersweet.
"This program is losing a huge part of itself," said Thompson. "The time has passed so quickly. It seems as if it was yesterday that I went into Debbie's gym in Atlanta to see a young girl with the potential to lay the foundation of my recruiting class… I have no words to express my gratitude to Debbie for connecting me with Britnay and Britnay's unwavering belief in my vision."
Thompson also spoke highly of the caliber of a player, person, and student that the Nittany Lions will be receiving.
"It has been an absolute pleasure and honor to coach Britnay for the past 2 and a half years. She is the quintessential student-athlete. Her commitment to the community, the college, the program, her teammates, and her academics is second to none… She has cemented her place as the foundation upon which I built my program here at Cleveland State, as a leader in our record books, and as a forever member of our Cougar family. She is walking out of our doors as a strong, capable, and confident young woman, ready to take on the world."
Thompson also believes Gore's legacy will live on for players to come.
"Her journey serves as an example of the success that is waiting for those who are willing to trust the process, buy into the culture, work hard in the classroom, commit to skill development, and believe in themselves," said Thompson.
Now, Britnay continues on to State College, Pa., a place where Miller-Palmore says is one of the best places she could be. "Britnay made a good choice in going to Penn State," she said. "They not only compete at a high level in their conference, but also they are reputable academically. As she continues on, a degree from Penn State will serve her well."
As Thompson feels she is losing "a daughter," she feels nothing but gratitude and joy for Gore. "I want to thank Coach Carolyn Kieger and her staff for giving Britnay this opportunity. They are getting a great one. I look forward to seeing her continued success and growth at Penn State."
As for Gore, she will always be grateful for her time spent in Cleveland. "I am absolutely thankful for my experience at Cleveland State," she said. "I appreciate all of my teammates, my coaches, the athletic and academic departments for support in the classroom and on the court."
We congratulate Britnay Gore and thank her for everything she's done for Cleveland State. We wish her nothing but the best going forward!
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