Dee Dee Merriweather is certainly no stranger to the Georgia State University women’s basketball program as she enters her ninth season involved with women’s basketball.
This will be her second as a member of the coaching staff. She helped in the devlopment of a pair of freshmen All-CAA Rookie Team guards in Crystal Johnson and Jylisa Williams.
For the previous three seasons, she had served as the administrative assistant for the program, handling countless tasks and serving however needed during the transition into the CAA.
And, for the four years prior to that, Merriweather was learning and understanding Coach Henry’s program as the point guard directing the succesful women’s teams.
In 2005, Merriweather was one of 28 former student-athletes chosen for Nike’s national “So You Want to be a Coach” program. This Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and NCAA program provides an educational and professional foundation for female student-athletes who aspire to coach.
Merriweather is in her third year of the master’s degree program in instructional technology at Georgia State.
PLAYING CAREER
A four-year letterwinner and three-year starter for the Panthers at point guard from 2001-2005, Merriweather was on teams that combined for a 75-46 record (62 percent) and earned two NCAA postseason bids.
Merriweather started 78 games and finished with 312 points (2.9 per game), 259 assists (2.4 per game), 168 rebounds (1.5 per game) and 89 steals. She was a career 71 percent free throw shooter and knocked down 47 three-point baskets.
She logged season-best totals of 110 points (3.7 ppg) and 60 rebounds (2.0 rpg) as a senior, along with a season-best 33 steals. She totaled a season-high 85 assists (2.8 apg) as a sophomore (2002-03).
Her .786 free throw percentage led the team. One of her highlights as a senior was making the winning basket with 4.4 seconds left in a win over Florida Atlantic.
Merriweather played on two Atlantic Sun tournament champion Georgia State teams in 2002 and 2003 that finished 21-10 and 20-11, respectively, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament both years.
State teams in 2002 and 2003 that finished 21-10 and 20-11, respectively, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament both years.
The 2002 squad also won the conference regular season title, while the 2003 team captured the A-Sun North Division regular season crown.
A two-time member of the Atlantic Sun Conference All-Academic team in 2003 and 2004, Merriweather was also a deserved recipient of Georgia State’s Bruce LaBudde Sportsmanship Award as a junior and a senior.
PREP CAREER
A four-year starter for the South Cobb Lady Eagles as a prep, Merriweather was named team captain and most valuable player three times.
Nicknamed “Magic,” she helped lead her squad to a 95-17 overall record during her four seasons, including 55-3 the last two (30-1 as a senior with an undefeated regular season and 25-2 as a junior).
Merriweather was a two-time all-state selection while leading the Lady Eagles to regional championships in 2000 and 2001 and was named Region 6AAAA Player of the Year in 2001 after averaging 14.1 points, 6.2 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 3.5 steals per contest.
In addition to her basketball prowess, Merriweather earned four letters in fast-pitch softball and four letters in soccer.
PERSONAL
Merriweather was born on Jan. 26, 1983, in Atlanta and has spent her entire lifetime in the metro area. She has five Peachtree Road Race tee shirts for finishing the July 4th 10k event that is known worldwide.
She had more than 75 family and friends attend her final game at Georgia State, all wearing No. 45 shirts.
She is the middle child of her mother, Rhonda, with an older brother Brian and younger brother, Chad. Dee Dee, whose given first name is Davetia, was named for her father who passed away about six weeks after attending her Senior Night game at Georgia State. She credits her stepfather Charles and her grandparents Gadisee and Betty Roberts for their supportive roles.
Merriweather earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting in four years from Georgia State’s Robinson College of Business in 2005.
Merriweather resides in Decatur Ga.
