With multiple colleges and universities clamoring for her attention, Staten Islander Skye Owen, currently a senior at St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens, has committed to attend Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Demon Deacons announced her signing with considerable excitement.
“I was overjoyed,” said Owen of signing. “I worked so hard for this and my family is so happy.”
Owen, a point guard that likes the nickname “Spin Cycle,” chose Wake Forest for the academics as well as head coach Jen Hoover, whom Owen feels she can learn a lot from. “The coaches were very welcoming when I was there,” said Owen, who said she’s ready for the shift from New York’s go-go-go atmosphere to a more laid-back tempo in North Carolina. When she visited the campus, she attended a football game and was impressed by the camaraderie in the stadium.
Although she’s not sure what her major will be, she’s excited that Wake Forest has one of the top business programs in the country. “I may do that, but I’m also thinking about becoming an orthopedic physician,” said Owen.
Hoover described Owen as “an energetic and athletic point guard that plays an uptempo game. She brings confidence on both sides of the court with dynamic attacks on offense and strong presence on defense.” Owen, who has worked with trainer Andre Barrett for years, said she’s excited by the prospect of being the floor general at a high-profile Division I program.
“I’m looking forward to growing my game, learning and picking Coach Hoover’s mind and developing my game more,” said Owen. “When you play at that high of a level, you’ve got to be able to do everything.”
While Owen looks up to Phoenix Sun guard Chris Paul, she also appreciates WNBA players like Tina Charles and Epiphanny Prince, both native New Yorkers. From the time she was little she attended New York Liberty games.
Owen lost a season of high school hoops (2020–’21) due to the pandemic, but previously led her high school team to the 2020 CHSAA city championship and earned All-City honors. She’s glad to be back in action this year and playing competitive basketball.
“I love the drive, the competitiveness that I have,” she said. “You want to get everybody involved, but you also want to win. In high school, my role is getting bigger. … [Basketball] has taught me different ways to motivate people. I have to be very verbal.”