Savannah State graduate signs professional basketball contract

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Amari Heard, a 6-foot guard from West Point, Mississippi, has been one of the pillars of Savannah State women’s basketball since 2019.

Heard spent five seasons with the Tigers, really taking on a major production role her senior season. She saved the best for last, leading the team in points this past winter, and ranked second in the SIAC in field goal percentage.

Now, Heard is off to play professionally after signing with a KBF Bashkimi in Kosovo. There’s still work to be done, but Heard is trying to live in the moment and be thankful for the opportunity.

“Probably like two days ago, I was just sitting in my room and I started (smiling).” said Heard. “I was just like wow, I’m really turning my dreams into a reality.”

Heard declared for the WNBA draft in early April, hoping to be the first ever draft pick from Savannah State. After weighing several offers from European clubs, Kosovo was the place her.

Five years anywhere is a long time. Heard says she couldn’t have asked for a better university to play basketball at.

“I thank Savannah State so much.” Heard said. “Savannah State molded me into this young lady that I didn’t think I could be. It’s a great athletic program, great coaches, great students, just everything about it.”

Heard heads to Kosovo in early September.