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Sonja Mallory Gamby Named 2015 Georgia Tech ACC Legend

Jan. 27, 2015

THE FLATS – After a decorated career on the Flats, former Yellow Jacket Sonja Mallory Gamby has been named Georgia Tech’s 2015 ACC Women’s Basketball Legend.

Gamby, who was known during her playing days as Sonja Mallory, and her fellow members of the 11th annual class of the ACC Women’s Basketball Legends will be recognized at the 2015 ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament, which will be held March 4-8 at the Greensboro Coliseum.

“I have always considered it such an honor to play for Georgia Tech in the ACC,” Gamby said. “It is hard to put into words what it means to now be honored by these organizations. Any of my individual accomplishments were made possible by a passionate coaching staff, a caring support staff and amazing teammates. I will always be grateful for the opportunities and experiences that I have had while playing and I am so proud to be a part of the Georgia Tech family.”

Gamby was a force in the paint for the Georgia Tech women’s basketball team from 2000-03. The Bronx, N.Y., native was an honorable mention WBCA All-American and a first-team All-ACC pick as a senior. During her senior year, she was also named to the ACC All-Defensive team and led the Yellow Jackets in scoring (16.2 ppg), rebounding (9.0 rpg) and blocked shots (1.84 bpg). She was also named the Georgia Division I College Player of the Year by the Atlanta Tip-Off Club.

“Sonja was a tremendous student-athlete here at Georgia Tech,” head coach MaChelle Joseph said. “She had a significant impact on our program as she was instrumental in leading Tech to its second NCAA tournament in school history. Sonja was a first team all-ACC player in her senior year and was drafted into the WNBA.”

Gamby’s rebounding and block totals in her senior season led the ACC while her scoring average was third-best in the conference. She finished her career with 1,254 points, which at the time ranked ninth on Tech’s all-time list and currently ranks 16th. Gamby finished her time at Tech with 750 rebounds, which ranked eighth all-time. Her 173 blocks still rank third on Georgia Tech’s all-time career list. She recorded 23 double-doubles in her four years at Tech, which ranked first on the conference’s active career list when she was a senior.

As a junior, Gamby earned second-team All-ACC honors. She recorded two 30-point games and ended her four years starting in 83-straight games. She played in 114 career games, averaging 11.0 ppg and 6.6 rpg over her four years. Gamby was the second Yellow Jacket to be selected in the WNBA after being drafted in the second round as the 24th pick of the 2003 WNBA draft by the New York Liberty.

After being drafted into the WNBA, Gamby played for the Phoenix Mercury. She also played basketball professionally overseas in Hungary, Lithuania, China, and France.

Following her basketball career, Gamby traded in her jersey for a lab coat. Gamby continued her studies, earning a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Maryland in 2011. At Maryland, Gamby researched cell-to-cell communication in bacteria, and published several articles in scientific journals.

In 2013, Gamby co-founded a communications company, Modus Vivendi, which launched its first product ModVive, an online magazine which delivers health, science, and national news.

Currently, Gamby serves as a contributing editor for ModVive and teaches chemistry at the College of Southern Maryland. Gamby resides outside of D.C. with her husband and two children. She is a member of her local Sport & Health club which she frequents, waiting for someone to challenge her to a game.

The Legends will be honored at the annual ACC Women’s Basketball Legends’ Luncheon on Saturday, March 7, at 10 a.m., and then will be introduced to the Coliseum crowd at halftime of the first semifinal game that afternoon. The ACC Women’s Basketball Legends program honors both players and coaches from each of the ACC’s 15 schools who have contributed to the league’s rich tradition.

Tickets to the Legends Brunch are priced at $35 each and can be obtained by calling 1-336-369-4673. Quantities are limited.

Included in this year’s class are 14 former-student-athletes and one former head coach who represent five decades of women’s basketball. Below is a complete list of this year’s Legends, and the accolades from their playing and coaching careers.

2015 ACC Women’s Basketball Legends Presented by New York Life Roster

Name                                                    School                   Years                     Position                                Hometown

Clare Droesch                                      Boston College     2001-05                 Guard                                     Rockaway Beach, N.Y.

Amy Geren McGowan                        Clemson                1995-99                 Guard                                     Cleveland, Tenn.

Alana Beard                                          Duke                      2000-04                 Guard/Forward                   Shreveport, La.

Cherry Rivers                                       Florida State         1976-80                 Forward/Center                   Miami, Fla.

Sonja Mallory Gamby                         Georgia Tech        2000-03                 Center                                    The Bronx, N.Y.

Nell Knox                                              Louisville             1989-93                 Center                                    New Albany, Miss.

Ferne Labati                                         Miami                    1988-2005            Head Coach                           Collingswood, N.J.

Tracy Reid                                            North Carolina     1995-98                 Forward                                Miami, Fla.

Jennifer Howard Wolgemuth            NC State                 1993-97                 Guard                                     Hickory, N.C.                       

Natalie Achonwa                                 Notre Dame          2010-14                 Forward                                Guelph, Ontario

Debbie Lewis                                       Pittsburgh             1977-82                 Guard                                     Grove, Pa.

Martha Mogish Rowe                         Syracuse                1978-81                 Forward                                Syracuse, N.Y.

Audra Smith                                         Virginia                 1989-92                 Forward/Center                   Milledgeville, Ga.

Kerri Gardin                                         Virginia Tech       2002-06                 Forward                                Morganton, N.C.

Janice Collins                                       Wake Forest         1983-86                 Guard/Forward                   Hampton, Va.

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