Sydney Beasley (1998) - JMU Athletics Hall of Fame - James Madison University Athletics

Sydney Beasley

Induction:
1998
Class:
1988

Sydney Beasley completed a stellar college career in the spring of 1988, then became the only player in JMU basketball history to be invited to the U.S. Olympic Trials. She went on to a professional career, with stints in Spain and Japan, becoming the only JMU women's player to play professionally.

She was a member of the 1985 U.S. Junior National Team that placed fifth in the FIBA World Championships and played in the 1983 and 1985 U.S. Olympic Festivals. She was named a preseason All-America by Street & Smith, Blue Ribbon Yearbook and the Women's Basketball News Service (1987) and was twice named an American Women Sports Federation All-America (1987, 1988).

Voted the Player of the Decade (1985-95) in the Colonial Athletic Association, Beasley was selected CAA Player of the Year, CAA Tournament Most Valuable Player and first team All-CAA in both her JMU seasons (1987, 1988). She was a two-time Kodak All-District III selection (1987, 1988) and the only player in JMU history to be named to that prestigious team. Beasley was selected the Division I Player of the Year in Virginia and first team all-state by the Virginia Sports Information Directors Association in 1988.

Beasley scored 1,046 points in her two JMU seasons and had a four-year career total of 1,412 points. Her season scoring totals of 551 (1987-88) and 545 (1986-87) points rank first and second, respectively, on JMU's all-time list. She also holds school season records for field goals (234) and field goal percentage (59.3) and the career record for field goal accuracy (55.2). Beasley led JMU in scoring (17.6, 17.8) and rebounding (7.5, 8.1) in 1986-87 and 1987-88.

On the Dukes' career lists she ranks second in field goals (576), fourth in scoring, fourth in steals (192), fifth in scoring average (13.4), sixth in free throws (260), sixth in rebounds (709) and ninth in rebounding average (6.8).

The Dukes were 54-8, won two CAA championships and advanced to the NCAA "Sweet Sixteen" in Beasley's two seasons.