“Very Disturbing”: Ex Wife Pilar Sanders Reprimands Coach Prime for “Stupid” Take on Shelomi’s Transfer Portal Decision

“I’m so PROUD of u baby girl.” Deion Sanders was beaming with pride when Shelomi Sanders debuted at JSU and kicked off her college basketball career by scoring a three-point shot in November 2022. Fast forward to this week when Shelomi made a surprise announcement to enter the transfer portal, Coach Prime was very upset. Being the “leader of the family,” he expressed that one should not get into the portal without a team and called her move “stupid.” However, his ex-wife, Pilar Sanders, jumped in to defend Shelomi from her father’s absurd comment.

Pilar Sanders took to her YouTube channel ‘PilarSanders TV’ to express her pride and support Shelomi’s decision. She also seemed to give a warning to Deion and said, “Stop talking about a present parent. Don’t make me say more than I have to say stop talking about being a present parent.” Pilar looked very upset by the comment Coach Prime made about his daughter because they had always been supportive of him through all his decisions, but he could not do the same.

Initially, Shelomi committed to Jackson State during high school, but when Deion Sanders decided to move to Colorado, Shelomi followed her father’s coaching journey from the SEC to Colorado, where the family also relocated to support his career endeavors. Despite not being actively recruited by Colorado, she joined the basketball team in a supportive capacity. Pilar also opined that being a father, Coach Prime should help his daughter chart a path for herself and find a team that truly wants and appreciates her skillset and leave a program “where she was never given a fair chance to really get recruited.” 

However, over the years, Shelomi has had very little playing time on court. During her time with Jackson State (2022-23) she has played only 2 games and in Colorado she found herself on the sidelines again. Shelomi made just 5 appearances during the 2023-24 season with a playing time of 11 minutes, as the team had already solidified its lineup.

With this reality, Shelomi decided to choose what was next for her, but her father seemed upset about it. Shelomi’s mother stepped up for her daughter and asked why should her decision be called stupid for taking a stand for herself and paving her path when no one else was doing it for her. Pilars added, “She’s navigating through this transition seamlessly. It’s not stupid… She’s experiencing what it’s like to be a wanted player, something she didn’t get to experience before.”

Wanting to explore opportunities, Shelomi took a courageous decision to pursue her own path and announced on Instagram, “… With intentional consideration and prayer, I have decided to enter the transfer portal with three years of eligibility left. Boulder will forever hold a special place in my heart and I will never forget the memories I have had the opportunity to make since being here. Thank you again Buff Nation!”

On the other hand, Pilar also drew attention to the fact that, instead of appreciating Shelomi, Deion Sanders is overly criticizing her choice and being authoritative.

“I am the leader of the family:” Deion Sanders asserts authority 

Shelomi Sanders’ decision to transfer hasn’t sat well with her father, Coach Prime. He expressed his views, emphasizing his role as the family leader, and stated that historically, children follow their parents, not vice versa.

Deion Sander said, “I am the leader of the family. So, I’ve been dictating where my kids go. They’re not dictating where I go.”  Showing a hint of support, he added, “I’m happy, I’m cool I’m sound in Boulder and we’re gonna build a monument.”

However, there are reports indicating that Shelomi is set to join the Alabama A&M Bulldogs, a move that adds depth and talent to the team’s roster. Under the guidance of the new head coach, Dawn Thornton, Sanders aims to make a notable impact on the court.

Last season, transferring from Jackson State, she averaged 16 points per game and earned first-team All-District honors in Texas as a senior at Rockwall-Heath High School in 2022. While Deion has made his stance clear, fans have to wait to see what Shelomi thinks about her father’s comments on the matter.