However, fans and friends inside the Women of Troy program will never forget Shields as a single mother raising two young daughters, Ayesha and Keisha, while balancing her life on and off the court.During those times, Karleen's girls were fixtures around Heritage Hall as the athletic department staff in the women's hoops' office, sports information and others happily took turns babysitting as mom crafted her jump shot in the South Gym. Ayesha and Keisha never missed a game and delighted the fans and media in attendance.
The latest chapter in their incredible story of mother and daughters will be written Saturday, May 7 (the day before Mother's Day), when the girls, now young women, graduate from Xavier University. Ayesha will receive her bachelor's degree in English with a creative writing minor, while Keisha's degree is in business management.
As for mom, Karleen Shields Thompson went on to become the head coach of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks and Houston Comets and now is an assistant coach at Clemson.
Fight on Ayesha (left) and Keisha (right)!
