The SWAC has 12 teams in 2026-27 and one new head coach. Last season ended with a tournament champion that finished tied for third, and this season begins with rosters that look very different from the ones that played in it. Four of the five first-team All-SWAC players are gone, two teams have no one back, and most of the league spent the offseason rebuilding through the transfer portal and junior colleges.
The Big Picture
Alabama A&M won the regular season at 17-1, Alcorn State was second at 14-4, and Alabama State and Southern tied for third at 12-6. Southern then won the tournament, beating Jackson State 64-51, Alabama A&M 51-49, and Alabama State 73-56 in the final, and it beat Samford 65-53 in the First Four before losing 103-34 at South Carolina. One of the 12 teams has a new head coach: Demetria Frank, a former Bethune-Cookman player who was associate head coach at George Mason last season, replaced Janell Crayton at Bethune-Cookman. The other 11 coaches are back.
Only three of the 10 players on the All-SWAC first and second teams are back: Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Indiya Bowen, Southern’s DeMya Porter, and Florida A&M’s Tahnyjia Purifoy. The Player of the Year, Alabama A&M’s Kalia Walker, and the Defensive Player of the Year, Alcorn State’s Nakia Cheatham, are gone, while the Newcomer of the Year, Bowen, and the Freshman of the Year, Jackson State’s Pierre-Noelle Tcheuhchoua, return. Roughly 120 of the 174 players on the 12 rosters are newcomers, and Grambling State and Texas Southern have no one back from last season.
Skim Milkey’s Predicted 2026-27 Order of Finish
1 - Arkansas-Pine Bluff
2 - Southern
3 - Florida A&M
4 - Alabama State
5 - Alabama A&M
6 - Grambling State
7 - Jackson State
8 - Alcorn State
9 - Texas Southern
10 - Bethune-Cookman
11 - Mississippi Valley State
12 - Prairie View A&M
Skim Milkey’s Preseason All-SWAC Team
Asianae Nicholson, F, Alabama A&M
Caylee Simpson, G, Alabama State
Charlese McClendon, F, Alabama State
Indiya Bowen, G, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Jailah Pelly, G, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Khaniah Gardner, F, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Miya Giles-Jones, G, Florida A&M
Shaniyah McCarthy, G, Florida A&M
Tahnyjia Purifoy, G, Florida A&M
Princess Anderson, G, Grambling State
Pierre-Noelle Tcheuhchoua, F, Jackson State
Taj Hunter, G, Jackson State
DeMya Porter, F, Southern
Jocelyn Tate, G, Southern
Zaria Hurston, F, Southern
Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Record: 15-16, 10-8 SWAC (5th, tie)
Coach: Erica Leak, 3rd season, 18-41
Arkansas-Pine Bluff finished tied for fifth at 10-8 and won two games at the SWAC Tournament, beating Mississippi Valley State 81-74 in the second round and Alcorn State 64-60 in the quarterfinals before losing 72-59 to Alabama State in the semifinals. The Golden Lions won 12 more games than they did in Leak’s first season. Sophomore guard Jayla Cornelius left for Texas Southern, and senior forwards Briontanay Marshall, who started all 30 games, and Kristyna Boyd are gone, along with Zoey Davis, Coumba Keita, and Briah Hampton.
Eight players return, and Indiya Bowen, a senior guard, first-team All-SWAC selection, and Newcomer of the Year, led the team with 15.2 points and started all 30 games. Jailah Pelly, a senior guard, scored 12.9 points, and Khaniah Gardner, a senior forward/center, scored 8.8 points. Jasmine Davis, a senior guard, scored 7.3 points, and Jakyra Jackson, a sophomore guard, scored 5.1 points. Tyra Taylor, Ruth Banjoko, and Jada James also return.
The additions are mostly young. Yasmyn Palmer, a junior center from Loyola Chicago, and Malanie Francis, a junior center from Santa Fe College, add size, and Alayiah Price, a redshirt freshman guard, did not play last season. The freshmen are guards DaMya Wilson, Parc Liggins, Sanai Branch, and Taylor Ballew.
I think a league this unsettled will reward the team that already knows its own roster. Bowen and Pelly have started together, Gardner and Davis are seniors who know their roles, and Leak does not have to teach anyone a new system. The 15-16 finish is reason to hesitate, but continuity matters more to me than last season.
Players to watch: Indiya Bowen, Jailah Pelly, Khaniah Gardner, Jasmine Davis
Southern
Record: 20-14, 12-6 SWAC (3rd, tie, NCAA Tournament appearance)
Coach: Carlos Funchess, 9th season, 136-114
Southern finished tied for third at 12-6 and won the SWAC Tournament, beating Jackson State 64-51, Alabama A&M 51-49, and Alabama State 73-56 in the final. The Jaguars then beat Samford 65-53 in the First Four of the NCAA Tournament and lost 103-34 at South Carolina in the first round. Jaylia Reed, a senior guard who averaged 7.8 points, and Olivia Delancy, a senior guard who averaged 7.5 points, are gone, along with Mykayla Cunningham, a junior guard who averaged 5.6 points and left for Kansas. D’Shantae Edwards, Demonnie Lagway, Kiana Wilson, and Xyllize Harrison are also gone.
Southern brings back six players, starting with DeMya Porter, a junior forward and second-team All-SWAC selection who led the team with 9.3 points and started 27 of 30 games. Zaria Hurston, a senior forward, scored 7.8 points and started all 32 games, while junior guard Jocelyn Tate scored 7.7 points. Jestiny Dixon, a senior guard, Anaja Hall, a redshirt senior center, and Aubri Wilkins also return.
The newcomers are veterans from other programs. Dalayja Hurt-Floyd, a senior guard from Alcorn State, Alisha Nunley, a senior guard from Old Dominion, J’yana Salton, a senior guard from Coastal Carolina, and Uniyah Franklin, a junior forward from Winthrop, also come from Division I. Diamond Hunter, a senior guard from Sam Houston State, Taniya Lawson, a redshirt senior guard from Texas Southern, and Deniya Thornton, a senior guard from Loyola New Orleans, round out the transfers. Aaliyah Scott, a junior guard from Connors State College, and Taelar Felton, a junior guard from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, are the junior college additions. The roster has no freshmen.
I do not buy that nine newcomers undo what Funchess has built. Porter, Hurston, and Tate came back from a title run, the transfers are mostly seniors, and the rotation has no freshmen to wait on. The question is who takes the shots Reed and Delancy took, and I trust this staff to find an answer.
Players to watch: DeMya Porter, Zaria Hurston, Jocelyn Tate, Jestiny Dixon
Florida A&M
Record: 9-22, 7-11 SWAC (8th)
Coach: Bridgette Gordon, 4th season, 27-64
Florida A&M finished eighth at 7-11, beat Bethune-Cookman 55-52 in the second round of the SWAC Tournament, and lost 72-68 to Alabama A&M in the quarterfinals. The Rattlers have won nine games in each of Gordon’s three seasons. Camille Jackson, a senior guard who averaged 8.5 points, and Breazia Robinson, a senior forward who averaged 7.8 points, are gone, along with Aina Subirats, Za’Naria Robinson, Jordan Boddie, April Hooks, and ZiKeyah Ransom-Carter.
Eight players are back, led by Shaniyah McCarthy, a senior guard who scored 12.3 points and started 28 of 30 games. Tahnyjia Purifoy, a redshirt senior point guard and second-team All-SWAC selection, scored 10.4 points. Niah Rhodes, a redshirt freshman guard, scored 8.5 points in two games. Miya Giles-Jones, a redshirt junior guard, scored 8.0 points, and Cornelia Ellington, a sophomore guard, scored 7.8 points. Brooklyn Swann, Zana Justice, and Thailan Payne also return.
Rose Jamison, a senior forward from Bellarmine, is the addition who can score right away, averaging 9.9 points and starting 13 of 14 games. Kamryn Grant, a junior guard from Dayton, and Persais Williams, a junior guard from Winthrop, also come from Division I. Breasia Coit, a junior center, arrives from Livingstone. Dijona Berrien, a sophomore forward, comes from Olive-Harvey College, and Lisa Sims, a junior guard, comes from Cerro Coso Community College. Kristen Johnson, a guard, is the lone freshman.
I am betting on the guards. McCarthy, Purifoy, Giles-Jones, and Ellington have shared big minutes, and Jamison gives Gordon a scoring forward she did not have last season. The 9-22 finish makes this pick feel aggressive, but this is a roster ranking, and this roster is deeper than the ones around it.
Players to watch: Shaniyah McCarthy, Tahnyjia Purifoy, Rose Jamison, Miya Giles-Jones
Alabama State
Record: 17-15, 12-6 SWAC (3rd, tie)
Coach: Johnetta Hayes, 2nd season, 17-15 (15th overall, 214-190)
Alabama State finished tied for third at 12-6 and reached the SWAC Tournament final, beating Grambling State 56-50 in the quarterfinals and Arkansas-Pine Bluff 72-59 in the semifinals before losing 73-56 to Southern. Shamya Reid, a junior guard who averaged 8.2 points, left for Jackson State, and Clearia Peterson, a sophomore forward who averaged 8.1 points, left for Austin Peay. Amari Franklin, a senior guard who averaged 5.7 points, is gone, and Samiah Puckett, a junior forward, left for South Carolina State. Taylor Smith, Kaitlyn Bryant, Kaia Ponder, Ashley Gray, Meagan Scott, Jacqueline Osei, and Talayah Hamilton are also gone.
Alabama State returns five players, and Caylee Simpson, a senior guard, led them with 9.4 points and started 16 of 29 games. Charlese McClendon, a senior forward, scored 6.2 points and grabbed 7.0 rebounds; Alanah Pooler, a senior forward, scored 6.0 points; and Ny’Keria Flowers, a sophomore guard, scored 5.8 points and started 19 of 27 games. Takya Walters-Norman, a senior guard, also returns.
Makala Hobdy, a senior guard from Jacksonville State, scored 6.8 points and started 17 of 27 games. Three North Carolina A&T transfers arrive: Elliott Jessup, a junior forward, Rachel Griffin, a junior forward, and Londyn Walker, a sophomore guard. McKayla Taylor, a redshirt freshman center from Georgia Tech, redshirted last season. The junior college additions are Aamori Daniels, a junior guard from San Diego City College, and Calise Chisholm, a junior forward from Daytona State College. The freshmen are guards Karrell Greene and Kaleigh Heywood and guard Morghan Slater.
I bet a second year under Hayes matters. Four returners who scored at least 5.8 points give her a base, Hobdy is a proven scorer to pair with them, and Reid and Peterson are the biggest losses. If the North Carolina A&T transfers contribute even a little, this team can reach the top three.
Players to watch: Caylee Simpson, Charlese McClendon, Makala Hobdy, Ny’Keria Flowers
Alabama A&M
Record: 22-11, 17-1 SWAC (1st, WBIT appearance)
Coach: Dawn Thornton, 3rd season, 43-22 (12th overall, 145-181)
Alabama A&M won the regular season at 17-1, beat Florida A&M 72-68 in the SWAC Tournament quarterfinals, and lost 51-49 to Southern in the semifinals. The Bulldogs then lost 72-47 to BYU in the first round of the WBIT. Kalia Walker, a senior guard, Player of the Year, and first-team All-SWAC selection who averaged 14.4 points, is gone, along with Moses Davenport, a senior forward and second-team selection who averaged 10.4 points. Coriah Beck, a junior guard who averaged 9.4 points, Jaida Belton, a senior forward who averaged 7.7 points and 7.0 rebounds, and Rakiyah Beal, a sophomore guard who averaged 6.7 points, are also gone. Kamiyha Griffin, Amber Scott, Zaria Glover, Kalyn Ervin, Shelomi Sanders, Tre’Miyah Berry, and Chrystianna Whitehead are also gone.
Only three players are back. Aniya Palmer, a senior guard, scored 7.5 points and started 10 of 30 games; Vanessa Wimberly, a sophomore guard; and Sumayah McIntosh, a sophomore guard, also return.
Asianae Nicholson, a senior forward from Charlotte, is the best addition, scoring 6.1 points and grabbing 9.3 rebounds while starting 30 of 32 games. Alisha Murray, a senior guard from Grambling State, scored 6.5 points. Janessa Kelley, a junior guard from Bethune-Cookman, Shun’teria Anumele, a junior guard from Houston, and Logyn McNeil, a redshirt junior forward from Houston, also come from Division I, and Miracle Akpotayobo, a redshirt freshman forward, arrives from Arizona. Skylar White, a senior guard, comes from Virginia State, and Kalea Rainey, a senior guard, comes from Florida Memorial. The junior college additions are junior center Ejiroghene Enenuvwedia from Southeast Community College and junior forward Tazi Harris from Snead State Community College; the freshmen are guard Ayla Benson and forward Khloe Bradley.
The easy pick near the top is Alabama A&M because of last season and Thornton’s SWAC Coach of the Year award. I am not making it. Walker, Davenport, Beck, Belton, and Beal combined for 48.6 points, only three players are back, and Palmer is the only returner who scored more than 2.8. Nicholson and Murray are useful, but a roster this new belongs in the middle until it proves otherwise.
Players to watch: Asianae Nicholson, Aniya Palmer, Alisha Murray, Logyn McNeil
Grambling State
Record: 13-19, 10-8 SWAC (5th, tie)
Coach: Courtney Simmons, 4th season, 51-44
Grambling State finished tied for fifth at 10-8 and lost 56-50 to Alabama State in the SWAC Tournament quarterfinals. Shaniah Nunn, a senior forward and first-team All-SWAC selection who averaged 12.4 points and 7.7 rebounds, is gone, along with Monica Marsh, a junior guard who averaged 9.7 points and left for Arkansas State, and Zaria Johnson, a senior forward who averaged 7.9 points. Alisha Murray, a junior guard who averaged 6.5 points, left for Alabama A&M; Douthsine Prien, a senior guard who averaged 5.2 points; and Alieghya Bartholomew, a senior guard who averaged 5.1 points, are also gone. D’Mya Griffin, Arianna Mosley, Jamirica Roberson, Jakiylah Esco, Nicole Sandifer, Deborrah Seitu-Redmon, Zhaniah Ervin, and Claire Simmons round out the long list of players leaving.
No one from last season’s roster is back.
Princess Anderson, a senior guard from Charlotte, scored 16.4 points and started 25 of 31 games, and Angel Wilkinson, a senior guard from Jackson State, scored 7.2 points. Madison Holden, a senior guard from Bethune-Cookman, scored 6.7 points, and Lalani Ellis, a junior guard from Eastern Illinois, scored 10.0 points in three games. Tylissa Henderson, a senior guard, also comes from Charlotte; Eve Fiala, a senior center, arrives from Dayton; and Johlana Tatum, a freshman guard, comes from Manhattan. The junior college group includes guards Da’Naya Ross (Three Rivers College), Destiny Lewis (Southwestern Community College), and Kinsley James (Itawamba Community College); forward Mariam Alowonle (Anoka-Ramsey Community College); center Sophia Goncalves (Laney College); and freshman forward Sy’Nariea Snow (Temple College). The freshmen are guard Azalia Hoover and forward Aeris Macon.
My concern with Grambling State is size, not scoring. Anderson, Wilkinson, Holden, and Ellis give Simmons four guards who have scored in Division I, but the roster has only two centers, Fiala and Goncalves. Anderson alone keeps this team out of the bottom of my order, and the question is whether the rest can rebound.
Players to watch: Princess Anderson, Angel Wilkinson, Madison Holden, Lalani Ellis
Jackson State
Record: 12-19, 10-8 SWAC (5th, tie)
Coach: Margaret Richards, 3rd season, 28-34 (13th overall, 158-183)
Jackson State finished tied for fifth at 10-8 and lost 64-51 to Southern in the SWAC Tournament quarterfinals. Jaileyah Cotton, a senior guard and second-team All-SWAC selection who averaged 9.4 points, is gone, along with Leianya Massenat, a senior guard who averaged 10.1 points in 15 games, and Rhema Pegues, a senior guard who averaged 10.0 points. Angel Wilkinson, a junior guard who averaged 7.2 points, left for Grambling State; Mikayla Brown, a senior forward who averaged 6.9 points; Derrica McCall, a senior guard who averaged 5.7 points; and Jada Patton, a senior forward who averaged 5.6 points, have left. Mariah Reed-Jones left for Mississippi Valley State, and Skyler Christmas, McKenzie Stewart, and Ruthie Mbugua are also gone.
Three players come back, led by Pierre-Noelle Tcheuhchoua, a sophomore center and Freshman of the Year who scored 7.4 points and started 11 of 30 games. Camryn O’Neil, a senior guard, and Laila Grant, a sophomore forward, also return.
Taj Hunter, a junior guard from Western Carolina, scored 9.8 points and started 24 of 26 games, and Shamya Reid, a senior guard from Alabama State, scored 8.2 points and started 19 of 28. Selina Gutierrez, a senior guard from Morgan State, and Joi Johnson, a junior forward from FDU, are also Division I transfers, and Ne’Vaeh Buntley, a junior forward, and Rhianna Battles, a junior guard, are the other transfers. The junior college group is guard Cassidy Gladney from Pensacola State College, guard Sierra Tuliau from Sacramento City College, guard Taler Thornton from Tyler Junior College, and center Valajah Jackson from Paris Junior College. The freshmen are guard Justine Tcheuhchoua and center Madison Eddings.
I like the guards, and I like that Tcheuhchoua is a post who can keep growing after winning Freshman of the Year. Hunter and Reid bring 18.0 combined points from their last stops. I do not know who will replace the playmaking Cotton gave Richards, which is why Jackson State is seventh and not higher.
Players to watch: Taj Hunter, Shamya Reid, Pierre-Noelle Tcheuhchoua, Camryn O’Neil
Alcorn State
Record: 17-14, 14-4 SWAC (2nd, WNIT appearance)
Coach: Nate Kilbert, 7th season, 65-104 (25th overall, 243-451)
Alcorn State finished second at 14-4, earned a bye to the SWAC Tournament quarterfinals, and lost 64-60 to Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Lady Braves then lost 73-65 to South Alabama in the WNIT first round. Nakia Cheatham, a senior forward, Defensive Player of the Year, and first-team All-SWAC selection who averaged 12.6 points and 7.9 rebounds, is gone, along with Kiarra Henderson, a senior guard who averaged 10.6 points, and Maya Claytor, a senior guard who averaged 7.6 points. Dalayja Hurt-Floyd, a junior guard, left for Southern, and Ja’Sharreah Hunt and Jeanee Anderson are also gone.
Nine players return, but only Lauren Nelson, a senior forward who scored 6.0 points, averaged at least 5.0. Chrishunti Walker, a junior forward, started 21 of 26 games, and Arene Iyekekpolor, a graduate forward, Leyah Houston, a senior forward, Jazlyn Johnson, Jayda Bowen, Frances Anyakudo, Ariyah Burke, and Milaan Moore also return.
Four newcomers join the roster. Fatime Seck, a senior guard, arrives from Southeastern Louisiana; Jada Morgan, a senior guard, comes from Albany State; Dekyra Mitchell, a junior guard, comes from Northwest Mississippi Community College; and Jae’la Smith, a junior guard, comes from Pearl River Community College.
Scoring might be the problem on this roster. Nelson is the only returner to reach 5.0 points, Cheatham, Henderson, and Claytor combined for 30.8, and the four newcomers include two junior college players, a transfer from Southeastern Louisiana, and a transfer from Albany State. Kilbert has coached through turnover before, but I cannot point to the player who becomes the go-to option.
Players to watch: Lauren Nelson, Chrishunti Walker, Fatime Seck, Arene Iyekekpolor
Texas Southern
Record: 10-21, 6-12 SWAC (9th, tie)
Coach: Vernette Skeete, 5th season, 36-86 (7th overall, 85-99)
Texas Southern finished tied for ninth at 6-12 and lost 66-62 to Bethune-Cookman in the first round of the SWAC Tournament. Taliyah Logwood, a sophomore guard and first-team All-SWAC selection who averaged 14.4 points, left for Temple, and Daeja Holmes, a senior guard who averaged 12.2 points, is gone, along with Aaliyah Henderson, a junior guard who averaged 7.5 points, Jordyn Marshall, a senior guard who averaged 7.2 points, and Lauren Perry, a senior guard who averaged 6.0 points. Maci Quiller, a junior guard who averaged 5.5 points, left for Sam Houston, and Ayanna Jackson, a junior forward who averaged 5.5 points, is gone. Malaya LeSueur, Da’Myiah Lewis, Fenishka Bertho, Alisa Blalock, and Ciara Brannon are also gone.
No one from last season’s roster is back.
Bailey Burns, a senior guard from Jacksonville, scored 6.1 points, and Michaela Bogans, a junior guard from Morgan State, scored 5.1 points. Jayla Cornelius, a junior guard, arrives from Arkansas-Pine Bluff; Kaitlyn Adams, a senior forward, comes from Delaware State; DeAvion Wilson, a sophomore guard, comes from New Mexico State; Mame Kane, a junior center, comes from Kennesaw State; and Marianah Achol, a sophomore forward, comes from Troy. Sydney Pettis, a redshirt junior forward from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, and Tobi Ademuwagun, a redshirt junior guard from Western Kentucky, also come from Division I. The junior college group includes Daniela Vallecilla, a redshirt junior forward from Trinity Valley Community College; Jada Landers, a junior forward from Chattahoochee Valley Community College; and Grace Strickland, a junior guard from Eastern Florida State College. Dejah Morris, a senior guard, arrives from Maine Fort Kent. The freshman is guard Amyna Sarr-Colombel.
Ninth is where I put the team I know the least about. Fourteen newcomers are a full reset, and Burns and Bogans are the only Division I transfers who scored at least 5.0 points last season. Skeete has coached a 17-win team before, so a jump would not surprise me, but I would rather rank this group when I anticipate them to end up.
Players to watch: Bailey Burns, Michaela Bogans, Jayla Cornelius, Kaitlyn Adams
Bethune-Cookman
Record: 7-26, 4-14 SWAC (11th)
Coach: Demetria Frank, 1st season, 0-0
Bethune-Cookman finished 11th at 4-14, beat Texas Southern 66-62 in the first round of the SWAC Tournament, and lost 55-52 to Florida A&M in the second round. The school parted ways with Janell Crayton after the tournament and hired Frank, a former Wildcats player who spent last season as George Mason’s associate head coach. Daimoni Dorsey, a senior guard who averaged 8.7 points, and Kailyn Peters, a senior guard who averaged 6.9 points, are gone, along with Madison Holden, a junior guard who averaged 6.7 points and left for Grambling State, and Jordan Brooks, a sophomore guard who averaged 5.8 points and left for Gardner-Webb. Tyler Butler, a senior forward who averaged 5.7 points, is gone, and Sanai Tyler, a junior forward, left for Monmouth. Janessa Kelley left for Alabama A&M, and Alexandria Johnson, Shomari Phillips, Chanelle McDonald, Indigo Brown, Dariasia Pitts, and Jade Parks are also gone.
Two players return: Keiara Gregory, a senior guard who scored 6.1 points in nine games, and Mya Johnson, a junior forward.
Amiyah Ferguson, a senior point guard from Tennessee State, Jarahle Daniels, a senior guard from Little Rock, Mayla Ham, a senior guard from Central Michigan, Akilah Shelton, a sophomore forward from Hampton, and Tyra Brown, a redshirt junior forward from Morgan State, come from Division I. Jazmin Thornton, a junior forward from Savannah State, Marley Bell, a junior forward from Fort Valley State, and Kayla Lee, a junior point guard from Fisk, are the other transfers. The junior college group is forward Alannah Nerocker from Angelina College, forward Kiera Neal from Three Rivers College, and guard Tahjae Hawes from East Georgia State College. The freshman is forward Ndeye Sokhna Konteye.
I am betting on patience here. Frank played at the school, and she has built almost this entire roster herself. The best case is Ferguson running the point and Gregory scoring as she did in her nine games. The worst case is that 12 newcomers take most of a season to mesh, and I think that is the likelier outcome.
Players to watch: Keiara Gregory, Amiyah Ferguson, Mya Johnson, Jarahle Daniels
Mississippi Valley State
Record: 8-23, 6-12 SWAC (9th, tie)
Coach: Jason James, 2nd season, 8-23 (6th overall, 60-89)
Mississippi Valley State finished tied for ninth at 6-12, beat Prairie View A&M 63-49 in the first round of the SWAC Tournament, and lost 81-74 to Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the second round. Sophomore guard Jaeda Murphy, who averaged 9.3 points, left for Milwaukee. Ariel Jefferson, a senior forward who averaged 8.9 points, is gone, along with Kylah McCullers, a junior guard who averaged 7.8 points and left for Sam Houston; Janiya Jones, a senior guard who averaged 7.3 points; Desiree Smith, a senior forward who averaged 7.0 points; and Nairobi Lewis, a senior forward who averaged 6.1 points. Sydney Thompson, Caiside Snapp, and Jakyrra Sandifer are also gone.
Sydnei Marshall, a senior guard, leads a group of six returners after scoring 9.2 points and starting 16 of 31 games. Ja’la Douglas, a senior guard, and Keanna Coburn, a junior center, also return, along with Poetrie Dace, Taylor Crawford, and Aaliyah Taylor.
Bryana Block, a graduate guard from Sam Houston State, and Joyce Mulumba, a senior center from Western Carolina, come from Division I, and Mariah Reed-Jones, a junior guard, arrives from Jackson State. The junior college group is guards Courtney Bluitt from Three Rivers College and I’Xana Winters from Itawamba Community College, and forwards Ka’Mbili Nelson from Arkansas State Mid-South Community College and Te’Lynn Lee-Rose from Hill College. The freshmen are guards Jamie Hunter and Kailen Parks.
I cannot figure out who will do the scoring. Marshall is the only returner who averaged more than 2.1 points, and none of the three Division I transfers scored more than 2.2 points at their last stops. The junior college group is large enough that one or two players could change the picture, but I have no way of knowing which ones, so the Devilettes sit near the bottom.
Players to watch: Sydnei Marshall, Mariah Reed-Jones, Bryana Block, Joyce Mulumba
Prairie View A&M
Record: 2-28, 0-18 SWAC (12th)
Coach: Tai Dillard, 2nd season, 2-28
Prairie View A&M finished 12th at 0-18 and lost 63-49 to Mississippi Valley State in the first round of the SWAC Tournament. Crystal Schultz, a sophomore guard and second-team All-SWAC selection who led the team with 14.0 points, left for Indiana State, and CJ Wilson, a sophomore guard who averaged 13.5 points, left for South Alabama. Margan Allen, a freshman guard who averaged 5.7 points, is gone, and Marckalia Celestine, a freshman forward, left for North Alabama. Taiya Kikunga, Preston Young, Laila Robinson, Mercy Wamet, and Krislyn Biscette are also gone.
The Panthers keep three players, led by Alana Shields, a sophomore point guard who scored 8.8 points and started 25 of 28 games. Jacque Giron, a senior guard, scored 5.4 points. Ja’nya Polk, a redshirt junior center, also returns.
Imani Morris, a senior center from Queens University of Charlotte, Kaylie Carr, a sophomore guard from Sam Houston State, and Neveyah Damon, a junior guard from Charleston Southern, come from Division I. The junior college group includes Awa Jawara, a junior forward from Butler Community College; Heaven Jordan, a junior point guard from Trinity Valley Community College; Janiya Murphy, a junior guard from Kilgore College; and Kemah Shaw, a junior point guard from Frank Phillips College. The freshmen are guard Sydney Thomas and forwards Jordan Daigle and Mackenzie Buckner.
I am betting that Shields is the player Dillard builds around. She started 25 of 28 games as a freshman, and she is the returner with the most proven scoring. No one else on the roster has proven scoring, which is why Prairie View is last, but I would not be shocked if Shields and one or two newcomers pull this team out of the basement.
Players to watch: Alana Shields, Jacque Giron, Imani Morris, Kemah Shaw
SWAC Round-Up
Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Southern, and Florida A&M have the strongest top-end cases to me. Arkansas-Pine Bluff returns its six leading scorers; Southern returns Porter, Hurston, and Tate from the tournament champion; and Florida A&M returns McCarthy, Purifoy, Giles-Jones, and Ellington, and adds Jamison. Alabama State has four returners who scored at least 5.8 points, and Alabama A&M won the regular season at 17-1 but lost four of its five leading scorers.
The rest of the league has changed a lot. Grambling State and Texas Southern have no returning players; Bethune-Cookman has a new coach and 12 newcomers; Jackson State has 12 newcomers; and Alcorn State went 14-4 but lost its three leading scorers. I could be way off on several of these teams, especially Alabama A&M, Alcorn State, and Grambling State, and I expect the final standings to look different from this order.
Editor’s Note: Records and conference standings reflect the final 2025-26 SWAC regular season and postseason. Player stats reflect 2025-26 production, unless noted. All 12 rosters have been confirmed against official, live 2026-27 team pages as of October 28th. Coaching and roster notes reflect known offseason moves as of October 28th. Roster additions may shift rosters before the season opens in November and may affect the order as of this writing.
