UConn Women Honor New York Teen Hoop Standout Killed by Stray Bullet

STORRS, CT — A 13-year-old Mount Vernon, NY, girl killed by a stray bullet while riding home from basketball practice has been made an honorary member of the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team, according to a letter circulating among various media sources.

ESPN displayed a copy of the letter.

A UConn spokesman said the university is not directly commenting on the gesture but the letter indicates it was sent to the family of eighth-grader Shamoya McKenzie, who died on New Year’s Eve.

She was a big fan of the Huskies and had aspirations of playing in Storrs.

The letter said that McKenzie was not only an honorary member of the team, but added the distinction, "once a Husky, always a Husky."

Photo Credit: UConn for the first photo