Former Woodrow Wilson High School girls basketball standout Khalilah Ali, who now lives in Suffolk’s Burbage Grant, is headed to the Big South after signing a letter of intent to play Division 1 women’s basketball at Longwood University.

Ali chose the Lancers after a recruiting process in which she received offers from the University of South Carolina Upstate and Fairleigh Dickerson University. She was also being actively recruited by Acorn State, North Carolina Central and Saint Peters College at the time of her signing.

Longwood has been recruiting her since last summer, and she looks forward to the opportunity to compete and play as a freshman.

Ali helped lead Portsmouth’s Lady Presidents to the second round of the regionals before losing to Woodside High at Scope last season. Often regarded as one of the toughest players in the Eastern District, the 5-foot-11-inch, two-time All Eastern District performer blocked more than 300 shots during the past two seasons, while averaging a 12.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.

She was the team’s co-MVP and the Defensive Player of the Year.
 Ali started her school career at John Yeates Middle School in Suffolk, where she helped lead them to back-to-back city championships
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Ali’s father is Muhammad Abdul Ali of Suffolk.