2025-26 SWAC preview

Last year, the SWAC had three programs — Southern, Alabama A&M and Texas Southern — earn postseason bids. Southern made history by becoming the first SWAC team to win an NCAA Tournament game, defeating UC San Diego in the opening round. Texas Southern and Alabama A&M competed in the WNIT, with Texas Southern notching an impressive first-round home victory over Saint Mary’s.

With three new coaches this season, the SWAC promises more competitive excellence, exciting players and strong programs. Although Southern was selected as the SWAC preseason favorite, the Jaguars know they will be challenged. The conference is deep, as Alabama A&M, Jackson State, Texas Southern and Grambling State each received at least one first-place vote.

Another snapshot of the conference’s depth is Alcorn State, which advanced to the last two conference championship games and was picked to finish sixth despite having two players named to the preseason All-SWAC team.

Sit back, relax and enjoy an in-depth look at all 12 programs for the upcoming season.

Many statistics, including those below the team names, are from the teams’ websites; all other data sources are hyperlinked.

You can read about every team or skip to your favorite using these links, in order of preseason ranking:

Southern | Alabama A&M | Jackson State | Texas Southern | Grambling State | Alcorn State | Bethune-Cookman | Florida A&M | Alabama State | Prairie View A&M | Arkansas-Pine Bluff | Mississippi Valley State

Southern

2024-25 record: 21-15 (15-3 SWAC)
Preseason ranking: 1st
2024-25 SWAC rankings: 10th in offense, 58.8 points per game; 1st in defense, 57.7 points allowed per game

Percentage of minutes returning: 34.3%* (6th-highest in the league)
Percentage of points returning: 47.1%* (2nd-highest in the league)

*Denotes totals without an approved NCAA waiver of Aniya Goudine. If approved, minutes returning increases to 45.7% and scoring returning jumps to 65.1%.

The Southern women’s basketball program has long been a hidden treasure on the national stage.

The Jaguars have produced a string of sterling seasons, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament in two of the last three years. They captured 21 victories last season, including the program’s first NCAA Tournament win, marking their first 20-win campaign since 2019.

In becoming the first SWAC program to win an NCAA Tournament game, Southern closed the season by winning 18 of its final 20 games, a streak that showcased both its discipline and unbreakable resolve. The Jaguars’ brand of basketball — built on intelligence, dominant defense, depth and unshakable teamwork — is a continual test of character.

With six returning players and possibly a seventh, pending an NCAA waiver decision, the Jaguars have the core and the chemistry to sustain their success. Even if the waiver for last year’s SWAC Tournament MVP and leading scorer, 5’9 senior guard Aniya Gourdine, is denied, Southern remains equipped to thrive. Gourdine, who averaged 12.0 points per game, was the Jaguars’ heartbeat.

The experienced, confident and connected Jaguars are led by 5’11 sophomore guard Jocelyn Tate, 5’7 senior guard D’Shantae Edwards, 5’8 senior guard Taniya Lawson and 6’1 sophomore forward DeMya Porter. They were all integral contributors to last year’s historic campaign. Each brings toughness, poise and reverence for what it means to play for Southern and what it takes to win in Baton Rouge.

In their NCAA Tournament battle against No. 1 overall seed UCLA, the Jaguars trailed by only 12 points at halftime before running out of steam and bodies. Yet, the performance underscored their competitive DNA of never backing down and never losing belief.

Edwards scored six points in 27 minutes, Tate pulled down eight rebounds in 21 minutes, Porter provided key minutes in the post, and Lawson added eight points while defending relentlessly against a Bruins team that advanced to the Final Four.

Tate averaged 6.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.2 assists per game, reaching double figures five times. Edwards started 30 games, averaging 4.7 points and 1.9 rebounds and was one of two Jaguars to record 50 steals.

Porter contributed valuable interior depth, while Lawson added 5.2 points and 1.9 rebounds, providing steady veteran leadership. Other returnees who played against UCLA include 6’4 senior center Xyllize Harrison and 5’7 senior guard Kiana Wilson.

Among Southern’s top transfers are 5’5 graduate guard Jaylia Reed (Mississippi Valley State), 5’10 senior guard Demonnie Lagway (Cal State Fullerton), 6’5 junior center Anaja Hall (Alabama State), 6′ junior guard Zaria Hurston (Coastal Carolina) and 5’11 senior guard Olivia Delancy (Florida A&M).

Reed led the SWAC last season in 3-pointers made per game (1.9) and 3-pointers made (60). Her addition strengthens Southern’s perimeter game. In starting 21 of the 31 games Reed played, she averaged 8.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game. She was also 14th in 3-point field goal percentage (25.8) and 21st in steals per game. Lagway has played 88 career games. Last season, she averaged 6.4 points per game and 1.4 assists in 25.1 minutes per game. Hall averaged 1.9 points and 1.1 rebounds per game.

This will be Hurston’s third school as she played in 25 games as a freshman at DePaul and 25 games at Coastal Carolina during the 2023-24 campaign. She averaged 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds at Coastal Carolina. Hurston also scored double figures in consecutive contests against Chattanooga and Michigan State.

Delancy played five games last season for Florida A&M before suffering a season-ending injury. As a freshman, she averaged 13.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in 25 games. Delancy made 16 starts out of the 25 games she played. Before the start of last season, Delancy was voted to the preseason second-team All-SWAC.

Southern is excited to enhance its legacy and write a new chapter in its proud tradition of excellence. Fueled by burning ambition and a devotion to detail, Southern’s next masterpiece may be its best yet. After all, treasures don’t stay hidden forever.

Alabama A&M

2024-25 record: 21-11 (14-4 SWAC)
Preseason ranking: 2nd
2024-25 SWAC rankings: 4th in offense, 64.0 points per game; 2nd in defense, 61.1 points allowed per game

Percentage of minutes returning: 26.3% (10th-highest in the league)
Percentage of points returning: 33.1% (6th-highest in the league)

Under second-year head coach Dawn Thornton, Alabama A&M believes it has the ingredients to be the last team standing in Atlanta come March. After surging to 21 wins and earning the program’s first-ever WNIT berth, the Bulldogs confidently enter 2025-26 with big bite, big energy and bigger goals.

It also helps when you have the preseason SWAC Player of the Year in 5’5 graduate guard Kalia Walker — the SWAC’s returning leading scorer — back in the lineup. Alabama A&M is poised to build on last year’s breakthrough with an even stronger finish, thanks to the scoring exploits of Walker, who is the ideal building block after averaging 14.6 points per game, second-best in the SWAC last season.

An All-SWAC first-team selection, she was the only top 10 scorer in the league to return this year. Walker scored her 1,000th career point while shooting 37.9% from the field and proved to be a quicksilver sparkplug, scoring in double figures 21 times, including eight games with 20 or more. Her range made her especially difficult to guard, as she knocked down 50 3-pointers.

The Bulldogs will be far from a one-woman show as it welcomes back 6’1 graduate guard Kourtney Rittenberry, 6’5 graduate center Moses Davenport, 6’1 junior guard Aniya Palmer, 5’6 redshirt senior Shelomi Sanders and 5’11 junior forward Crystianna Whitehead.

Rittenberry was off to a fantastic start, averaging 10.5 points per game and 4.8 rebounds in 13 contests before suffering a season-ending injury. Her experience and leadership will help steady the Bulldogs this season. Davenport is another player Thorton is excited to have for a full season, after they only played in the Bulldogs’ first three games a year ago. Palmer started seven of the 28 games she played, averaging 3.3 points per game and 3.0 rebounds per game.

Another player that Thornton is euphoric about is Coriah Beck, one of the SWAC’s elite performers. She missed all of last season recovering from injury. During the 2023-24 season at Arkansas-Pine Bluff under Thornton, Beck averaged 12.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. Beck made 33.1% of her 3-pointers at UAPB. She was a SWAC preseason first-team selection before last year, a testament to her ability.

The Bulldogs also bolstered their roster with a pair of SWAC transfers in 5’10 senior guard Zaria Glover (Jackson State) and 6’4 senior forward Jaida Belton (Texas Southern). Glover appeared in 29 games last season, while Belton ranked 10th in the SWAC in rebounding (6.8) and averaged 6.5 points per game on 56.4% shooting, finishing with six double-doubles. Belton was named preseason second-team All-SWAC.

Additional depth comes from 5’11 senior guard Rakiyah Beal, who played in 83 games at North Dakota, 5’9 sophomore guard Tre’Miyah Berry, who appeared in 26 games at New Orleans after earning 2023–24 Region Player of the Year honors in high school, and 5’9 senior guard Amber Scott, who averaged 9.6 points per game at Rust College.

The Bulldogs will be fun to watch with one of the most electric players in the country and a versatile supporting cast. Alabama A&M appears primed for another history-making season on The Hill.

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Jackson State

2024-25 record: 16-15 (13-5. SWAC, advanced to SWAC semifinals)
Preseason ranking: 3rd
2024-25 SWAC rankings: 9th in offense, 59.0 points per game; 4th in defense, 63.5 points allowed per game

Percentage of minutes returning: 32.6% (7th-highest in the league)
Percentage of points returning: 30.5% (8th-highest in the league)

There’s no truth to the rumor that Jackson State needed name tags on the first day of practice. With only three players returning from last season, it wouldn’t have been a surprise if that had been the case. Still, the turnover brings fresh energy and new possibilities.

While the Tigers will miss the scoring power of Taleah Dilworth, last year’s SWAC leader, second-year head coach Margaret Richards sees this as an opportunity to mold a hungry, new-look team ready to climb back to the top of the conference.

She’ll lean on returning starters, 5’6 senior guard Jaileyah Cotton and 5’10 senior guard Leianya Massenat, to lead the way this season. Both players earned preseason All-SWAC honors as Massenat was named to the first team and Cotton was selected to the second team.

Massenat averaged 10.7 points per game and 4.1 rebounds per game for the Tigers in 28 games. In making 41 3-pointers to lead the Tigers last season, the sweet-shooting Massenat was third in the SWAC in 3-point field goal percentage (33.9%). She was also eighth in the conference in 3-pointers made per game (1.5). She scored in double figures in four of Jackson State’s final five games and made four 3-pointers each in three straight games during that stretch.

Her shooting prowess helped Jackson State lead the conference in 3-point field goal percentage (31.4%) after making 168 triples, which was second in the conference.

Cotton is expected to play a bigger role this season for the Tigers. Playing in every game last season, she was fourth on the team in scoring, averaging 6.5 points per game. Cotton, who averaged 31.3 minutes per game, made 22 3-pointers. Cotton, who dished a team-leading 97 assists, was fourth in the SWAC in assists per game (3.1) and assist-to-turnover ratio (0.8). She had five games with at least five assists.

Jackson State’s other returnee is 6’4 senior center Ruthie Mbugua, who averaged 2.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 28 games.

One of the Tigers’ highly touted newcomers is 5’8 sophomore guard Angel Wilkinson, who was named an honorable mention All-American who led Copiah-Lincoln Community College and the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) in points per game at 22.6, a mark that was second nationally in NJCAA Division I. Wilkinson led her team in steals per game and assists per game at 3.4 and 2.8, respectively, while being tied for second on the team in rebounds per game at 6.2. Her steals-per-game mark was also tops in the MACCC.

In the post, 6’4 graduate transfer Mikayla Brown brings experience from Old Dominion, where she appeared in 30 games with five starts last season. Brown averaged 2.6 points, shot 76% from the free-throw line and grabbed 96 rebounds. Another transfer, 5’8 senior guard Rhema Pegues, comes from North Alabama, where she averaged 4.0 points per game.

McKenzie Stewart, a 6’1 junior forward from Delaware State, saw her season cut short by injury but was productive in 16 games, starting 14. She averaged 4.8 points and 8.4 rebounds, leading the Hornets in both offensive boards (2.9 per game) and overall rebounds. Rounding out the newcomers is 6-foot senior forward Jada Patton, who averaged 7.9 points in 16 games for IUPUI and should provide another impactful presence in the frontcourt.

Richards is also excited for the addition of 5’6 senior guard Skyler Christmas, a transfer from Dillard. Christmas is a playmaker who can score at three levels and adds another offensive weapon for the Tigers. She began her collegiate career at Louisiana before playing the last two years at Georgia Southwestern and Dillard, where she averaged 11.4 points per game.

Fueled by a talented and potentially electric backcourt combination in Massenat and Cotton, along with some experienced newcomers, Richards has the pieces to enjoy a memorable season. The Tigers may look different this season, but their combination of perimeter shooting, veteran leadership and fresh energy will have them challenging for the league crown.

Texas Southern

2024-25 record: 17-16 (14-4 SWAC)
Preseason ranking: 4th
2024-25 SWAC rankings: 2nd in offense, 66.2 points per game; 10th in defense, 67.5 points allowed per game

Percentage of minutes returning: 20.5% (11th-highest in the league)
Percentage of points returning: 18.8% (11th-highest in the league)

Texas Southern is seeking an encore campaign after posting a winning record, including a home postseason victory in the WNIT last year. Even though the Tigers return four players from last season, fourth-year head coach Vernette Skeete is excited for the opportunity to construct another championship contender.

Despite the departure of nine players from last season, Skeete will rely on the twin talents of 5’9 senior guard Daeja Holmes and 5’7 junior guard Aaliyah Henderson to lead the Tigers. They are returning starters who made several key contributions to Texas Southern’s success last season. Now, they are excited about the increased responsibility.

Henderson is the Tigers’ leading returning scorer at 8.3 points per game. She also grabbed 3.3 rebounds per game. In starting 21 of 23 games, Henderson reached double digits in scoring six times. Late in the season, Henderson had consecutive 15-point games against Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman. She’s looking forward to returning to the floor after missing the Tigers’ final nine games.

Holmes shined in the Tigers’ WNIT victory over Saint Mary’s by scoring nine points. With postseason experience, Holmes will play a significant role in the Tigers’ success last season, averaging 6.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. Holmes scored in double figures in four of Texas Southern’s final six games, including an 11-point effort in a tough season-ending road setback to Louisiana Tech. She scored in double figures five times and had a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double against Jackson State.

Texas Southern’s two other returnees are 5’11 sophomore guard Maci Quiller and 6’1 graduate guard Mikayla Malik. Quiller saw action in 26 games. Mark played in three games but none after Dec. 16, so she’ll be thrilled to return to the court this season.

Skeete and her staff hit the transfer portal hard by bringing in six players with Division I experience in 5’5 junior guard Alisa Blalock (La Salle), 5’8 junior guard Malaya LeSueur (Fresno State), 5’10 junior forward Ayanna Jackson (UNC Greensboro), 6’2 graduate center Ciara Brannon (Sacred Heart), 5’6 senior guard Lauren Perry (Omaha) and 5’10 sophomore guard Taliyah Logwood (Utah).

This will be Blalock’s third school after playing at Division II Caldwell as a freshman. Last year for the Explorers, she appeared in 20 games and averaged 2.9 points per game. She scored a career-high 12 points against Chestnut Hill. LeSueur played 20 games, averaging 1.6 points and 1.2 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per game at Fresno State.

Jackson played 15 games for a UNCG program that won the Southern Conference championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. She concluded the season with 31 points and 16 rebounds. Brannon appeared in 25 games for Sacred Heart, where she scored a career-best 12 points in 11 minutes against Niagara. Perry, who played two years at Lakeland Community College, averaged 3.8 points in 22 games for Omaha last season.

Logwood brings instant scoring to the Tiger program. She established herself as one of the top freshmen in the Mountain West Conference last year at Utah State. Logwood appeared in 23 games with eight starts, averaging 9.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. She scored in double figures in 13 contests, including a season-high 17 points in a win at San José State, and also recorded her first career double-double with 11 rebounds, an effort that earned her MWC Freshman of the Week honors.

Other key newcomers for the Tigers include 5’7 graduate guard Da’Myiah Lewis (CSU-Stanislaus) and 6’4 junior forward Fenishka Bertho (Tyler Junior College). Lewis, who scored a career-high 31 points against Chico State, averaged 17 points and posted 10 double-doubles. Bertho, who played 30 games, contributed 6.2 points per game for a program that won 21 games and advanced to the Region XIV championship game.

Even with so many new faces, Skeete is confident that the Tigers will quickly develop the chemistry and toughness needed to stay among the SWAC’s elite, while carrying a quiet confidence and expectation of excellence into the season.

Grambling State

2024-25 record: 15-15 (12-6 SWAC)
Preseason ranking: 5th
2024-25 SWAC rankings: 1st in offense, 66.8 points per game; 6th in defense, 65.7 points allowed per game

Percentage of minutes returning: 41.9% (4th-highest in the league)
Percentage of points returning: 39.1% (5th-highest in the league)

Third-year Grambling State head coach Courtney Simmons has her eyes on another winning season. Since arriving, Simmons has led the Tigers to 38 victories, including 27 in SWAC play and a WNIT triumph. Last year, Grambling built momentum by winning its final four regular-season games before bowing out in the opening round of the SWAC Tournament.

This season, the Tigers bring back a strong core. They were picked to finish fifth in the SWAC preseason poll and got a pair of first-place votes, a sign of respect.

Anchoring Grambling State’s backcourt will be 5’7 graduate guard Douthshine Prien and 5’9 junior guard Arianna Mosley, while 6′ senior forward Shaniah Nunn gives Grambling presence in the paint. Together, they form the foundation of a team determined to climb higher in the standings.

Prien enters her final season as one of the SWAC’s most well-rounded guards. Named preseason second-team All-SWAC, Prien has scored 431 career points with 185 assists, and last season, she averaged 8.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, which was fifth in the SWAC. She was also fifth in the SWAC in assist-to-turnover ratio (0.7). Prien was third in the SWAC in steals per game (2.3).

Showcasing her scoring ability, Prien scored in double digits 12 times last season, reaching a career-high 17 points in games against Centenary and Florida A&M.

Mosley, who started 11 of the 30 games, adds balance alongside Prien. Averaging 17.5 minutes per contest, Mosley showed her scoring touch with four double-digit games, highlighted by an 18-point outburst against Centenary. Together, Prien and Mosley give Grambling a steady backcourt that can handle pressure and create offense.

Nunn averaged 5.9 points per game and 4.0 rebounds per game last season, but will be counted on to do more this season. Nunn started 12 of the 18 games she played and averaged 19.1 minutes per game, with a double-double against Texas Southern (11 points and 11 rebounds).

Also returning for the Tigers this season are 5’10 sophomore guard Nicole Sandifer, 5’10 graduate guard Claire Simmons and 6’1 senior forward Zaria Johnson. They all played at least 20 games and averaged 3.0 points or more per game. Johnson and Simmons averaged at least 11 minutes per game each, while Sandifer saw 8.6 minutes per outing.

Among the transfers expected to make an immediate impact are 5’9 senior guard D’Mya Griffin (Florida A&M) and 6’5 junior center Eve Fiala (Dayton). Griffin, who understands the rigors of competing in the SWAC, averaged 9.5 points per game last season and had 15 double-digit scoring games, including a 17-point outing against Grambling State.

Meanwhile, Fields played in 20 of Dayton’s 31 games last season, averaging 1.0 points and 2.0 rebounds per contest. As a freshman at Dayton, Fields was an Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week and made her collegiate debut at UConn. During her freshman year, Fields also appeared in 23 games and made five starts. She averaged 4.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 11.2 minutes per game. She also blocked a career-high five shots in the A-10 tournament second round against Rhode Island.

A Delaware transfer, 5’8 senior guard Alieghya Bartholomew also brings Division I experience to the Tigers. She played seven games last season for the Blue Hens and scored 11 points in a game against Providence.

Another impact player for the Tigers could be 5’5 junior guard Monica Marsh, who was an NJCAA second-team All-American after averaging 15.4 points per game at Trinity Valley Community College. Arriving from Clayton State College is 5’8 senior guard Deborrah Redmon, who didn’t play last season. During the 2023-24 season, Redmon led Clayton State with 67 assists in 27 starts. Her experience also includes playing 52 games at Pensacola State College.

With a veteran core, proven newcomers and Simmons’ steady leadership, Grambling State enters the year with a blend of confidence and depth that makes it a dangerous team in the SWAC.

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Alcorn State

2024-25 record: 14-18 (10-8 SWAC)
Preseason ranking: 6th
2024-25 SWAC rankings: 8th in offense, 59.6 points per game; 5th in defense, 65.3 points allowed per game

Percentage of minutes returning: 48.7% (2nd-highest in the league)
Percentage of points returning: 43.6% (3rd-highest in the league)

Alcorn State has played its best basketball toward the end of the season in each of the last two years. Under veteran head coach Nate Kilbert, the Braves are headed in the right direction. They advanced to the SWAC championship game in the previous two years.

In each of those two seasons, Alcorn State finished by winning eight of its last 11 games.

Entering his sixth year guiding the Braves, Kilbert has built a solid program that prides itself on tenacious defense, ranking fifth in the SWAC last season in points per game (65.3).

With returning players highlighted by 6′ graduate guard Nakia Cheatham and 5’9 senior guard Kiarra Henderson, the Braves believe they have the pieces to be among the top of the conference. The preseason All-SWAC first-team honorees are a strong combination of precision, poise and power.

Even though Alcorn State was the only program with two players named to the preseason first team, it was picked to finish sixth in the SWAC preseason poll.

Cheatham contributed 7.5 points (fourth on the team) and 6.5 rebounds (second on the Braves) per game. Showcasing her versatility, Cheatham posted a double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds) against Houston. She came up huge with 13 points and nine rebounds in helping Alcorn State beat Texas Southern in the SWAC quarterfinals.

A tenacious rebounder, Cheatham grabbed at least five rebounds in nine of the Braves’ last 14 games. She grabbed 11 boards in their season-ending setback to eventual champion Southern. Cheatham finished with eight double-doubles.

Henderson started 20 of the 31 games she played last season. Playing 23.8 minutes per game, Henderson made them count by averaging 8.2 points per game and 4.1 rebounds. Reaching double digits in scoring 12 times, Henderson is the Braves’ returning leading scorer. Henderson had a season-high 22 points against Jackson State. She was a defensive force, leading Alcorn State with 50 steals.

Kilbert is also excited to welcome back 5’7 junior guard Dalayja Hurt-Floyd, 6′ junior forward Arene Iyekekpolor, 6′ junior forward Leyah Houston and 5’6 graduate guard Maya Hunkin-Claytor. All four gained valuable experience last season and are excited to take on bigger roles.

Iyekekpolor played in all 32 games last season, averaging 3.3 points and 2.2 rebounds in 13.5 minutes per game. She started five games. Hurt-Floyd played 31 games, Houston saw action in 28 games, and Hunkin-Claytor competed in 29 games.

Returning from injury this season will be 5’7 senior guard Jayda Bowen, who played just two games last season. Another key piece returning will be 6’2 sophomore forward Milaan Moore, who averaged 5.6 points per game in the eight games she played.

Impactful transfers for Alcorn State are 5’6 senior guard Ja’Sharreah Hunt (Tougaloo College), 6′ junior forward Lauren Nelson (Mississippi Delta Community College) and 6’2 sophomore Chrishunti Walker (University of North Alabama). Adding depth to the Braves will be 5’10 freshman guard Ariyah Burke, 6’1 freshman forward Jazlyn Johnson and 5’7 freshman guard Frances Anyakudo.

Kilbert is thrilled because he believes the Braves have a strong balance of veteran leaders with chips on their shoulders, key returners from injury, and impactful newcomers, which is why the Braves are poised for another deep SWAC tournament run — and a season to remember.

Bethune-Cookman

2024-25 record: 10-21 overall (7-11 SWAC)
Preseason ranking: 7th
2024-25 SWAC rankings: 5th in offense, 60.4 points per game; 3rd in defense, 62.4 points allowed per game

Percentage of minutes returning: 45.1% (3rd-highest in the league)
Percentage of points returning: 42.9% (4th-highest in the league)

Entering her fifth season at the helm of Bethune-Cookman, head coach Janell Crayton Del Rosario welcomes back six scholarship players from last year’s squad, which posted a winning record at home and was third in the SWAC in points allowed. Bethune-Cookman held eight of its final 10 opponents below 65 points last season.

The lone returning starter is 6’2 senior forward Chanelle McDonald, who averaged 6.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. A steady presence, McDonald has started 51 of the 54 games she’s played in during her Wildcat career, reaching double figures in scoring seven times last season.

Despite adding nine newcomers, the Wildcats return valuable experience in 5’7 senior guard Daimoni Dorsey, 5’9 sophomore guard Janessa Kelley, 5’11 graduate guard Shomari Phillips, 5’3 sophomore guard Jordan Banks and 6’2 sophomore forward Mya Johnson.

Together, they form a solid foundation led by Dorsey and Kelley, who started Bethune-Cookman’s SWAC quarterfinal overtime setback.

Named the SWAC preseason Defensive Player of the Year, Dorsey, who logged 29.7 minutes per game — the second-highest mark on the team — is one of the most dynamic players in the SWAC. The preseason first-team All-SWAC selection started 30 games last season, averaging 7.1 points per contest and 3.7 rebounds per game while leading the Wildcats with 61 assists. Her highlights included a season-high 19 points against Grambling State and a 17-point, five-assist performance against Prairie View A&M.

Kelley was named preseason second-team All-SWAC. She started 14 games last season, averaging 7.2 points per game. Kelley showed her potential with five double-figure performances over a seven-game stretch in February, highlighted by 15-point outings against Alcorn State and Alabama State. Kelley led Bethune-Cookman with 42 3-pointers and was 10th in the SWAC in 3-pointers made per game (1.4).

Brooks started 24 games and averaged 21.9 minutes per game. In addition to averaging 4.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists, Brooks also finished with 37 steals. Phillips, who averaged 19.3 minutes per contest last season, was 17th in the conference in 3-pointers made per game (1.0). She started seven games and averaged 4.4 points per contest. Johnson, who averaged 7.8 minutes per game last season, is expected to play a bigger role this season.

Among some of the Wildcat top newcomers looking to make an immediate impact are 5’6 junior guard Madison Holden, 6′ freshman forward Dariasia Pitts, 5’10 freshman Indigo Brown and 5’10 freshman guard Jade Parks.

Crayton Del Rosario is excited about Holden, who arrives at Bethune-Cookman after a stellar career at Central Arizona College. A scoring guard who can push the pace in transition, Holden was an all-region selection who averaged 14.9 points on 43.1% shooting. Brown averaged 11.3 points per game at Morrow High School. Parks scored 11.9 points and grabbed 5.8 rebounds per game.

Featuring a solid core of veterans and promising newcomers, with Dorsey setting the tone, the Wildcats are poised for an exciting season.

Florida A&M

2024-25 record: 9-20 (6-12 SWAC)
Preseason ranking: 8th
2024-25 SWAC rankings: 3rd in offense, 65.0 points per game; 8th in defense, 66.7 points allowed per game

Percentage of minutes returning: 9.0% (12th in the league)
Percentage of points returning: 6.6% (12th in the league)

Florida A&M has essentially a new roster from last season as 5’8 senior guard Aina Subirats, 5′ redshirt junior guard Tahnyjia Purifoy and 6’6 senior center Zikeyah Ransom-Carter are the only returnees for third-year head coach Bridgette Gordon. Yet, even with 12 newcomers, the Rattlers are excited about the upcoming campaign.

Subirats and Purifoy will be expected to play larger roles this season. Subirats played 14 games last season for the Rattlers. She played the previous two years with her sister Ivet, who is now playing professionally in Spain.

Purifoy started FAMU’s first seven games before missing the remainder of the season. Purifoy is healthy after sitting out the entire SWAC season with a back injury. Gordon has nicknamed her “Lil’ Ma” because of her “heart and leadership.”

Ransom-Carter played at Chicago State during the 2023–2024 season, averaging 2.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game in 13.4 minutes. She started two of the 21 games she appeared in. Ransom-Carter is the younger sister of former Mississippi State standout Jessika Carter.

Even though the Rattlers will take some time to gel, they are excited to welcome several players with Division I experience: 6′ redshirt sophomore Miya Giles-Jones (Fordham), 5’11 senior guard Camille Jackson (Miami (OH)), 6’3 sophomore center Breazia Robinson (Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Delaware State), 5’6 junior forward Jordan Boddie (Austin Peay) and 5’8 redshirt sophomore April Hooks (Alabama State).

Giles-Jones appeared in 19 games for Fordham, averaging 6.1 minutes per game and shooting 36.4% from the field. Jackson saw action in 24 games, averaging 2.8 points and 1.3 rebounds per contest. Boddie, who played her freshman year at Indian River State College, averaged 15.7 minutes in 21 contests, where she averaged 4.8 points per game and made 38.2% of her field goals.

Meanwhile, Robinson and Hooks have been through SWAC battles, and they know what to expect in this rugged conference.

Competing for her fourth school, Robinson played the last two years at Florida Tech. She started six of eight games, scored 57 points and grabbed 21 rebounds. Robinson played in 12 games for UAPB and helped the Golden Lions advance to the SWAC championship game during the 2022-23 season. Starting 16 of the 20 games at Delaware State, she led the Hornets in blocked shots during the 2021-22 campaign, averaging 6.0 points and 6.1 rebounds in 31.9 minutes per game.

Hooks did not compete last year following a season-ending injury during the preseason. She did play in 27 games as a true freshman for Alabama State during the 2023-24 season, averaging 4.4 points and 1.2 rebounds per game. She scored a career-high 14 points at SMU.

The Rattler roster is bolstered by junior college transfers: 6’4 junior guard ZaNaria Robinson (Tallahassee Community College), 6’1 junior forward Thailan Payne (Pearl River Community College) and 5’8 junior guard Shaniyah McCarthy (Cerro Coso Community College).

Robinson, who initially committed to Little Rock, played 50 games over two seasons at Tallahassee CC, averaging 8.0 points per game. Payne, who appeared in 14 games at Arkansas-Monticello before transferring, started 14 of 27 contests last season to help Pearl River win 25 games and reach the Region 23 semifinals. McCarthy started all 30 games for Cerro Coso last year, averaging 19.0 points per game.

With so many new faces, the Rattlers will rely on chemistry, commitment and consistency to navigate the early part of the season. Still, under Gordon’s leadership, this energetic mix of Division I veterans, junior college standouts and promising freshmen gives Florida A&M the versatility to grow quickly. Once they find their rhythm, the Rattlers have the potential to become one of the SWAC’s most intriguing and competitive teams.

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Alabama State

2024-25 record: 17-16 (14-4 SWAC)
Preseason ranking: 9th
2024-25 SWAC rankings: 12th in offense, 49.0 points per game; 11th in defense, 70.5 points allowed per game

Percentage of minutes returning: 56.8% (1st in the league)
Percentage of points returning: 54.2% (1st in the league)

Alabama State begins a new chapter with head coach Johnetta Hayes, whose energy, charisma and belief in building culture have already left a mark on the program. While the Hornets have totaled just nine wins over the last two seasons, Hayes is confident her roster, featuring a motivated and talented blend of seven returners and 10 newcomers, can rise into the SWAC’s upper echelon.

At the heart of her vision is the “Hornet Seven”: love, leadership, communication, competitiveness, service, trustworthiness and discipline. These standards, Hayes believes, will provide the foundation for sustainable success.

The Hornets bring back several key contributors who have logged heavy minutes in conference play. Kaitlyn Bryant, a 5’11 senior forward, averaged 8.2 points per game last season and knocked down a team-best 25 3-pointers. Named to the preseason All-SWAC second team, Bryant scored in double figures 13 times, highlighted by a 24-point effort against Texas Southern, and enters the year as Alabama State’s top returning scorer.

Amari Franklin, a 5’8 senior guard, proved to be a steady floor general, starting 28 games and leading the Hornets with 38 steals. She averaged 4.1 points, handed out 58 assists and had four games with at least five dimes. Alongside Bryant, she was one of only two Hornets to appear in all 30 games last year.

Additional depth returns in 5’9 junior forward Alanah Pooler (5.0 points, 3.6 rebounds), 5’5 graduate guard Taylor Smith (6.7 points, 56 assists) and versatile 5’10 senior guard Ashley Gray, who made nine starts and averaged nearly 20 minutes per game. Talayah Hamilton, a 5’11 senior forward, provides frontcourt size, while Samiah Puckett, a 6’3 junior forward who sat out last season, brings Division I experience from East Tennessee State.

Hayes also welcomes a wave of transfers who are expected to make immediate contributions.

Shamya Reid, a 5’6 guard from Wabash College, averaged 13.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists. Takya Walters-Norman, a 6-foot junior forward, brings SWAC familiarity after a stint at Alabama A&M and, most recently, put up 9.3 points and 7.4 boards at Bishop State CC. Graduate forward Kaia Ponder, a 6′ graduate forward, adds experience from more than 80 Division I games at Morgan State and UMKC.

The Hornets will also benefit from the frontcourt presence of 5’11 junior forward Charlese McClendon, who was named NJCAA Freshman of the Year at East Georgia State, where she ranked second nationally in rebounding. She’s joined by 5’6 junior guard teammate Caylee Simpson, a reliable 9.7-point, 5.0-rebound contributor. Clearia Peterson, a 5’9 sophomore forward, rounds out a versatile group of transfers.

With a roster that combines returning experience and transfer talent, Alabama State looks positioned to compete with more consistency this season. Hayes’ emphasis on culture and accountability has already re-energized the program, and the Hornets believe they have the depth, leadership and toughness to move into the SWAC’s upper tier.

Prairie View A&M

2024-25 record: 10-19 (6-12 SWAC)
Preseason ranking: 10th
2024-25 SWAC rankings: 6th in offense, 59.9 points per game; 9th in defense, 67.2 points allowed per game

Percentage of minutes returning: 27.2% (9th-highest in the league)
Percentage of points returning: 30.1% (9th-highest in the league)

With its top two scorers returning from last season in 5’8 sophomore guard Crystal Schultz and 5’9 sophomore guard CJ Wilson, Prairie View A&M’s first-year head coach Tai Dillard has a solid foundation to start building her championship blueprint.

Schultz was named the SWAC Freshman of the Year last season after leading the Panthers in scoring (9.3 points per game). A dynamic presence on the floor, Schultz was fourth in the SWAC in 3-pointers made (51) and seventh in 3-point field goal percentage (30.0%). She scored a career-high 26 points in her collegiate debut against Texas College. Schultz scored in double figures 11 times last season.

Even though Schultz will draw increased attention from opposing defenses this season, Wilson should help ease that pressure. Wilson averaged 8.3 points per game as a freshman while adding 3.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals per contest. A confident scorer and steady floor presence, she reached double figures nine times, highlighted by a 20-point performance against Texas Southern.

Wilson ended the season by averaging 11.6 points per game over the Panthers’ final six games. She had three consecutive double-digit scoring games to close the season. Her composure and versatility give Prairie View A&M another reliable weapon in the backcourt.

Also returning for the Panthers are 5’11 sophomore forward Laila Robinson and 6’6 sophomore center Ja’nya Polk. Robinson appeared in 27 games, while Polk provided depth inside with 24 appearances and two starts. Still young but bursting with energy, Prairie View A&M’s core embodies the youthful exuberance that defines Dillard’s early vision — fast, fearless and eager to grow together.

Dillard added transfers in 6’3 sophomore Awa Jawara (Butler Community College), 6’5 junior Mercy Wamet (Butler Community College), 5’6 junior guard Jacque Giron (Weathersfield Community College) and 5’7 sophomore guard Krislyn Biscette (Loyola University of New Orleans).

Jawara and Wamet bring winning chemistry to the Panthers from their time as teammates last season, when they helped Butler Community College win 23 games and advance to the Region 6 semifinals. Giron averaged 10.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in helping Weathersfield Community College finish with 20 wins. Biscette, who is a budding musician, is excited to showcase her complete game after playing five games before suffering a season-ending injury.

The Panthers will also feature six true freshmen in 5′ guard Alana Shields, 5’5 guard Margan Allan, 5’8 guard Alaysia Gude, 6’3 center Preston Young, 6’2 center MarcKalia Celestine and 5’11 forward Taiya Kikunga. Shields is a guard from Chicago who plays much bigger than her listed height.

As its core matures and newcomers bring fresh energy, Prairie View A&M looks ready to rise. With joy as its engine and belief as its compass, Prairie View A&M stands on the edge of something special as a young but talented squad learning, growing and chasing greatness together under Dillard’s vision.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff

2024-25 record: 3-27 (1-17 SWAC)
Preseason ranking: 11th
2024-25 SWAC rankings: 11th in offense, 53.5 points per game; 7th in defense, 66.2 points allowed per game

Percentage of minutes returning: 37.1% (5th-highest in the league)
Percentage of points returning: 34.8% (7th-highest in the league)

With three returning starters who bring experience and leadership, the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff enters the new season determined to climb higher in the SWAC standings after winning three games last season under second-year head coach Erica Leak.

Anchoring UAPB’s core are 6’2 senior center Briontanay Marshall, a strong interior presence; 5’9 senior guard Kristyna Boyd, a steady backcourt leader; and 5’10 junior guard Jailah Pelly, a dynamic scorer who adds versatility on both ends. Together, they form the heart of a Golden Lions team eager to turn potential into performance.

Pelly is electric, leading all returners with 9.3 points per game. She also paced the Golden Lions with 69 assists while averaging 3.4 rebounds per game. Pelly made 22 3-pointers and scored in double figures 11 times, including a season-high 21 points against Jackson State and 20 versus Texas Southern.

Boyd contributed 8.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game last season, scoring in double figures eight times, highlighted by a 20-point outing against Texas Southern. Marshall added 3.4 points per game and ranked second on the team with 15 blocks, providing steady defense in the paint.

The Golden Lions will also rely on five transfers expected to make an immediate impact, beginning with 5’9 junior guard Indiya Bowen and 6’1 redshirt junior forward Briah Hampton, teammates last season at Southeast Missouri State. Leak joked they were a “package deal,” but together, they’ll be no laughing matter for opponents.

Bowen averaged 7.9 points and 2.3 rebounds in 21 games with 11 starts, while Hampton, who began her career at Austin Peay, appeared in 25 games for SEMO and finished second on the team with 16 blocked shots.

Another potential difference-maker is 6′ junior guard Khaniah Gardner, who started her career at Vanderbilt. At Olive Harvey Community College, Gardner averaged 12.4 points per game and helped lead the program to 33 victories. Leak believes her talent and versatility can be a significant asset in the Golden Lions’ rotation.

Additional scoring could come from 5’8 sophomore guard Jayla Cornelius, who averaged 9.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game at Emporia State. Meanwhile, 6’2 sophomore forward Zoey Davis, who spent last season at Southern Utah, is eager to make her UAPB debut.

Leak is also excited about 5’9 junior guard Jasmine Davis, a Little Rock native who averaged 7.6 points and 2.5 assists per game while helping Three Rivers Community College reach the NJCAA quarterfinals.

With a blend of returning production and talented newcomers, UAPB is excited to develop into a disruptive force. The Golden Lions have been intentional in their preparation to enjoy a memorable season. Leak sees a group committed to growth, toughness and playing for one another. Her culture is taking root, and the roar is getting louder.

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Mississippi Valley State

2024-25 record: 8-23 (6-12 SWAC)
Preseason ranking: 12th
2024-25 SWAC rankings: 7th in offense, 59.6 points per game; 12th in defense, 73.9 points allowed per game

Percentage of minutes returning: 28.8% (8th-highest in the league)
Percentage of points returning: 23.0% (10th-highest in the league)

Mississippi Valley State head women’s basketball coach Jason James has had the interim tag removed. Now, James and the Devilettes are excited to build on a strong finish that saw them end the season with wins in four of their last five games, including their first SWAC tournament victory since 2013.

There are plenty of opportunities for several players to enjoy breakout seasons for the Devilettes this season.

The Devilettes will have some familiar faces returning to help lead them to the top of the conference and continue their improvement. Mississippi Valley State’s top returning scorer is 5’3 sophomore guard Jaeda Murphy. She played in all 31 games last season and averaged 6.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 29.5 minutes per game.

Poised for a breakout season, Murphy reached double-digit scoring five times. She had a career-best 20 points against Texas Southern. Her strength was finding her teammates and placing them in positions to succeed. She provides MVSU with a sense of structure and purpose. Murphy also showed her playmaking ability, leading the team with 77 assists and ranking 12th in the SWAC in assists per game (2.5). She had three games of six assists. Murphy also had 44 steals, which was second on the team.

Another key returner is 5’7 senior guard Janiya Jones, who averaged 4.0 points and 1.8 rebounds in 15 minutes over 29 games. Jones had an 18-point performance in a victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. She will be counted on to play a bigger role this season.

While Murphy and Jones give the Devilettes an explosive backcourt combination, the experience of 5’7 junior guard Kylah McCullers, 5’7 junior guard Caiside Snapp, 5’10 sophomore forward Ja’la Douglas and 6’3 sophomore center Keanna Coburn will play central roles in shaping MVSU’s season.

McCullers appeared in 24 games, contributing 3.5 points per contest. Together, McCullers, Jones and Murphy combined to make 58 3-pointers, helping the Devilettes finish second in the SWAC in 3-pointers made per game (5.2). Douglas saw action in 10 games and averaged 2.1 points per game and 2.4 rebounds per game while playing 15.4 minutes.

The Devilettes will also welcome 10 new players this season. Among the junior college additions are 5’9 junior guard Sydnei Marshall (Three Rivers CC), 5’10 junior guard Aaliyah Taylor (Northwest Mississippi CC), 5’7 junior guard Addison Howell (Itawamba CC) and 6’5 junior center Jakyrra Sandifer (Mississippi Delta CC).

They’re joined by a group of experienced transfers from the Division II ranks: 6’2 senior forward Desiree Smith (Johnson C. Smith), 6’3 graduate center Nairobi Lewis (LeMoyne-Owen) and 5’9 graduate forward Ariel Jefferson (Arkansas Baptist). Their size and versatility should give the Devilettes a boost in the frontcourt.

With a full offseason under Jones’ direction and a quality blend of experience, hunger and fresh energy, Mississippi Valley State has the pieces to be one of the SWAC’s most improved teams. And if their late-season surge was any indication, the best chapters of their story are still to come.