SAVANNAH, Ga.- The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) released the preseason all-conference honors on October 18, 2023 ahead of the 2023 Basketball Media Day which was held at Savannah's EnMarket Arena.
 
Savannah State forward Amari Heard was named the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
 
Heard along with SSU guard Nyla Allen both earned SIAC Preseason First Team honors.
 
The preseason honors and rankings are voted on by the SIAC head coaches and sports information directors.
 
Following the 2022-23 regular season, Allen was named to the All-SIAC First Team while Heard earned Second Team honors.
 
Playing in 25 games last year, Heard averaged 32.4 minutes per game while shooting 44 percent from the floor. The West Point, Mississippi native averaged 12.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.8 steals while blocking 18 shots.
 
Heard scored a career-high 26 points last year against Central State on November 28, 2022. She had a season-high 15 rebounds and four blocks against Miles on Nov. 13, six assists against Fort Valley State on January 7 and six steals against Spring Hill on December 17.
 
Allen saw action is 22 contests a year ago and playing 33.1 minutes per outing. She shot 43 percent from the field and made 80 percent of her free throws. The Jacksonville, Florida native averaged 14.5 points, 3.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals a game.
 
Allen had a career-high 28 points and eight assists against Central State, five steals against Miles on December 5 and a season-high of six rebounds against Oakwood on Nov. 12.
 
The Lady Tigers posted a 17-8 overall record last season while going 13-6 in conference play. Savannah State won nine of their ten regular season games in Tiger Arena.
 
Savannah State begins their 2023-24 campaign on November 17 at home against Trinity Baptist at 7 p.m.
 
Iemyiah Harris of Miles College was named the SIAC Preseason Player of the Year.