Bob Jones’ McKinnon signs with West Alabama
McKinnon's family: L-R sister, Starr; mother, Yulonda; Rikeyah; and father, Richard.
It’s the University of West Alabama for Bob Jones High School senior Rikeyah McKinnon.
The guard signed with the University of West Alabama Tuesday, April 19 at Bob Jones.
McKinnon has seen three state championships during her four-year tenure on the team.
At the ceremony, McKinnon thanked her friends, family and fellow teammates for their support throughout the years.
“All you have taught me a lot of valuable things I can use on and off the court and I love, and thank you for supporting me,” McKinnon said.
Her mother, Yulonda, sister, Starr and father, Richard, were all onstage with McKinnon as she signed her letter of intent.
Yulonda was moved to tears as she expressed how proud she was of her daughter.
“This is the day that Rikeyah has been dreaming of and we never thought she would go this far,” Yulonda said. “For her to be sitting up there is such a great accomplishment and we are so proud of her.”
Yulonda said she is having a hard time dealing with the fact that her youngest daughter will be leaving home soon.
“We went down to visit the university and I think I shed a tear just about every other day now,” she said.
McKinnon said she is ready to take the next step in her life by going off to college. And although she will miss her family, she’s looking forward to being a part of Coach Craig Roden’s team at UWA.
“I’m very excited to go to college and I’m excited that I got his scholarship,” she said. “I like the team, I like the coaches and I’m very excited to start my journey in college.”
McKinnon will be missed by her Bob Jones teammates and Head Coach Tim Miller.
“She really has a commitment to basketball,” Miller said. “She worked hard, she did everything she could on the court to help the team and I’m so proud of her for being able to sign with West Alabama.
