CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University women’s basketball coach Kelly Bond-White announced on Monday that the program has added Houston transfer forward Tamara Nard.

A 6-2 forward from Chicago, Nard returns to her home state after one season at Houston. Nard also spent two years at Butler Community College, where she was a NJCAA All-American.

“I’ve known Tamara since her days at Chicago Kenwood and when she played for the Chicago Hoops Express,” Bond-White said. “Her versatility allows her to be a lock down defender at multiple positions. She has great hands, excels in transition, and has a great downhill attack. I’m excited for her and her family to have their young lady back home.”

Nard appeared in 32 games at Butler C.C. during her freshman season. She led the team in scoring with 16.2 points per game in addition to 6.5 rebounds per game. At the conclusion of her freshman season, she earned KJCCC Freshman of the Year honors.

Nard put up strong numbers during a sophomore campaign in which she was named the conference’s Co-Most Valuable Player along with being selected to the All-KJCC First Team. She averaged 12.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game and shot 48 percent from the field.

“I chose SIU knowing I will work with a great coaching staff,” Nard said. “I also know that Coach Bond believes in me and will help guide me to achieve my future goals. They didn’t promise me anything. The coaches told me I had to consistently work hard. Having a chance to help recruit this first class has got me fired up!”

Nard played her high school ball for coach Andre Lewis at Kenwood Academy in Chicago, where she a 1,000-point scorer.

“Tamara is an athletic, dynamic scorer, and rebounder,” Lewis said. “She has the ability to dominate a game on both ends of the floor with her combination of skill and force.”

Nard said that returning home was very important to her decision to come to Southern.

“My family is my WHY, so going home where I can represent my state and be closer to them meant everything to me.”