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Former Gatorade Player of the Year Kyndall Keller transferring from UM to Carroll College

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MISSOULA — After two seasons with the Montana Lady Griz, Kyndall Keller is moving on.

The Havre native has transferred from Montana to the Carroll College women's basketball program. Carroll made the announcement on Friday afternoon and held a signing event for Keller at the school.

"She brings in some experience, she brings in a player that will fit in really well with the players we have and with our culture," said Carroll College head women's basketball coach Rachelle Sayers. "I think it's going to be a really smooth transition."

Sayers said after entering the transfer portal, Keller reached out to Carroll to discuss transferring to the Fighting Saints program for the upcoming season, noting several ties Keller has to the program.

"I think we both knew that it was a great opportunity to, to join forces again and get her over here. She's, you know, a legacy player here at Carroll. Both her parents played here. Her grandfather was the late Jim Gross that coached many years here at Carroll and so a lot of Carroll ties," said Sayers.

Keller, the 2020 Montana Gatorade Player of the Year, appeared in 49 games in two years for the Lady Griz program. As a sophomore this past season, Keller averaged 3.0 points and 1.8 rebounds in 13.3 minutes per game and racked up eight steals. She shot the ball at a 28.3% rate from the floor and went just 8 for 46 from deep.

UM coach Brian Holsinger often lauded Keller for her defense and energy off of the bench. Attributes that Sayers says will be extremely beneficial for Carroll next season.

"She makes us better in a lot of ways. She's a really good defender, which I like, obviously. We're, we're a defensive-minded team," said Sayers.

In 2020-21, Keller averaged 4.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in 15.7 minutes per game as a freshman.

Keller joins a Saints program that has been atop the NAIA women's basketball rankings the past few seasons. Last year Carroll went 27-8 and advanced to the round of 16 at the NAIA national tournament.

During her decorated prep career at Havre High School, Keller led the Blue Ponies to Class A state titles as a sophomore and junior and was a four-time all-state selection.