COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Fairview product, Wallace State standout Golden signs with West Alabama
Published 2:16 pm Wednesday, February 20, 2019
- Fairview product and Wallace State standout Jada Golden signs a scholarship to play basketball at West Alabama. She is joined by her parents, Jim and Janice Golden, and sister, Lexi Golden.
Jada Golden didn’t expect much when she took an unofficial visit to West Alabama.
But head coach Rusty Cram extended the Wallace State sophomore an offer she simply couldn’t refuse.
Golden, a 2017 Fairview graduate, signed a basketball scholarship with the Division II Gulf South Conference program and is set to continue her collegiate career with the Lady Tigers at the start of the 2019-20 season.
“We were just talking in his office, and coach Cram offered me on the spot,” Golden said. “I was really excited. I didn’t expect it, because I’ve had a rough year. I am extremely blessed that God has given me the talent and the opportunity to further my basketball career.
“And I’m so thankful for my grandparents adopting me and my sisters and pushing me to the best of my ability, because I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”
Golden also had interest from Huntingdon College and Point University in Georgia.
According to Golden, however, West Alabama’s physical therapy program tipped the scales in its favor.
“It’s not just about athletics, it’s about my education, too,” she said.
Golden is averaging 6.2 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per contest for Wallace State this season.
She’s started 15 games and has helped the Lady Lions compile a 23-5 record.
The talented lefty is hoping to take what she’s soaked up at Wallace State with her to the next level.
“When I was at Fairview, I really didn’t score that much,” Golden said. “Here I’ve learned that I have to score. I’ve got to shoot the ball when I have the chance and drive to the goal. I’m a shooter. That’s what I’m going to West Alabama to do. Everything goes so much faster (in college), and you have to be physical at all times no matter how small or tall you are.”
During her prep career, Golden helped the Lady Aggies win two Cullman County Tournament championships and advance to the Northwest Regional Tournament twice, reaching the Elite 8 in junior season.
She was also the recipient of the Charlotte Cummings Memorial Scholarship.
On Thursday, she’ll head to Jacksonville State to watch her younger sister, Payton, play in the Class 4A Northeast Regional Tournament title game against Anniston.
“I love seeing her play,” the older Golden said. “I hope they can win tomorrow.”
