UConn Women Honor NY 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.

A man was also shot and wounded at the same time.

"Shamoya was a star basketball player who played on many tems including the Mount Vernon Junior Knights, the Mount Vernon Lady Elites, and the Mount Vernon High School JV Lady Knights," her mother said on a GoFundMe page raising money for funeral expenses. "Her ultimate goal was to attend the University of Conneticut (UCONN) and then transition into the WNBA."

The GoFundMe account in honor of Mckenzie has raised $29,207 of its $50,000 goal.

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

By Chris Dehnel (Patch Staff)