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.
