| Shelly Pennefather | |
| Position: | Forward |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 1 |
| Birth Date: | c. 1966 |
| Nationality: | American |
| High School: | |
| College: | Villanova (1983–1987) |
| Years1: | 1987–1990 |
| Team1: | Nippon Express |
| Highlights: |
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Mary Michelle Pennefather (born c. 1966), now known as Sister Rose Marie of the Queen of Angels,[1] is a former professional basketball player. Winner of the Wade Trophy in 1987, she went on to play premier league basketball in Japan before retiring to a monastic life.
Pennefather spent three years at Bishop Machebeuf Catholic High School in Denver, Colorado and one at Notre Dame High School in Utica, New York. She led Machebeuf to three consecutive state championships and a 70–0 record. She led Notre Dame to a 26–0 record, also winning the state championship making for a no loss record for her entire high school career.[2] [3]
Pennefather was named to the Parade All-American High School Basketball Team. She was a U.S. Olympic Festival selection in 1981 and 1983. She turned out for the USA Women's R. William Jones Cup Team in 1982 where she earned a silver medal.[4] [5] [6]
Pennefather played her college basketball for the Villanova Wildcats at Villanova University in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania. She was the school's all-time leading scorer for both women and men with a career total of 2,408 points. She was the Big East Player of The Year three times. She was a First Team All-American selection in 1987, and the winner of the coveted Wade Trophy.[1] [7] [8] [9]
Source[10]
| Year | Team | GP | Points | FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Villanova | 26 | 504 | 53.5% | 78.0% | 9.7 | NA | NA | NA | 19.4 | |
| 1985 | Villanova | 29 | 544 | 53.4% | 74.0% | 10.9 | 4.3 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 18.8 | |
| 1986 | Villanova | 31 | 685 | 57.3% | 81.8% | 9.5 | 5.1 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 22.1 | |
| 1987 | Villanova | 31 | 675 | 58.5% | 76.8% | 9.9 | 4.3 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 21.8 | |
| Career | 117 | 2408 | 55.9% | 78.0% | 10.0 | 3.6 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 20.6 |
After graduating from Villanova, Pennefather played three seasons of professional basketball for the Nippon Express in Japan.[1] [11]
On June 8, 1991, Pennefather retired to a monastic life with the Poor Clares order at their monastery in Alexandria, Virginia.[11] On June 6, 1997, six years after entering the monastery as a novice, Pennefather, now known as Sister Rose Marie, took her final vows as a nun.[1] On June 9, 2019, Pennefather had her first physical contact with family and friends since becoming a nun; her next opportunity to do so will not happen for another 25 years, per the rule of her religious order.[12]