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With basketball career in doubt, Springs lands spot with UC Merced
Michailla Springs signing
With her dad, Michael, and sister, Charlene, looking on, Michailla Springs signs her letter of intent to play basketball for UC Merced at Manteca High on May 19. HANNAH PALACIO/Courtesy photo

 Michailla Springs figured that her senior season at Manteca High would be her last in organized basketball.

Future plans changed in January following an unexpected visit from college coaches, and she was not going to let an ankle sprain deny her an opportunity to continue competing at the next level.

Springs was ultimately rewarded for her grit, and on May 19, the now-graduate of Manteca High cemented her commitment to play for UC Merced. Bobcats coaches watched her in person during Manteca’s Valley Oak League home game against Central Catholic.

Springs was slowed by the achy ankle, but the UC Merced staff had seen enough out of the versatile 5-foot-10 guard during the Buffaloes’ 48-47 win.

“It was pretty crazy,” Springs said. “The day before they came, I twisted my ankle playing knockout with my teammates. I wasn’t even going to play, but Oscar (Calix, Manteca’s coach) told me they were going to come. So, I wrapped the ankle to play and see what happens.”

Michailla Springs signing
Manteca High graduate Michailla Springs, third from right, is with Buffaloes head coach Oscar Calix, mom Ruth, sister Charlene and father Michael during a signing ceremony May 19 at the MHS tutoring center. HANNA PALACIO/Courtesy photo

A month later, UC Merced head coach Kellie Bernard invited Springs for a visit and offered a scholarship.

“I wasn’t really thinking I would be playing college basketball,” Springs said. “My top choice was UC Santa Barbara, but I wasn’t going to be playing basketball anymore.

“I’m definitely excited, because I do want to continue playing, and I’ve been wanting to play college basketball since I was little.”

And she’ll get to play at a high level.

Next academic year, UC Merced will begin its transition from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics to NCAA Division II. By 2026-27, the Bobcats will be eligible to compete in the NCAA Championships. They’ll join Stanislaus State in the competitive California Collegiate Athletic Association.

UC Merced had a successful run in its time in the NAIA and California Pacific Conference. This past season, the Bobcats went undefeated to win the Cal-Pac regular-season title and followed that up with the program’s fifth conference tournament championship. They finished 17-9.

“I really liked the team; the girls were super sweet, and I really felt like I bonded well with the coaches,” Springs said. “The coaches were genuinely were interested in having me on their team.

“The school kind of gets a bad wrap because it’s newer, but it’s a really beautiful campus and everything about it was nice.”

Springs will study communications in media and aims to pursue a career in sports marketing and management.

UC Merced is getting a two-time All-VOL selection in Springs, who earned first-team honors in her senior campaign in which she averaged 12.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals overall. She was a second-team selection in her junior year, helping the Buffaloes earn a share of the league title.