SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State University head women's basketball coach Phillip Wallace, Jr. has announced the additions of twelve (12) new student-athletes for the Lady Tigers program for the 2026-27 season.

"Following a challenging 2025–26 campaign, in which the program was significantly impacted by injuries and roster limitations, the team concluded the season with a 7–18 overall record. The roster began with 10 student-athletes and was reduced to seven active players by the end of the season. Despite these challenges, the team demonstrated resilience and competitiveness throughout the year," said Wallace.

He went on to add that "in response, we have placed a strong emphasis on the second phase of program development: an aggressive and strategic recruiting initiative. This plan was intentionally designed around identifying the strengths required to compete effectively within our conference and aligning those needs with carefully evaluated prospects. As a result, we have successfully added 12 new student-athletes to scholarship for the upcoming season, in addition to key transfers."

The incoming group includes nine freshmen, two transfers and one junior college transfer.

Transferring to Savannah State will be Bre Jones and Limaya Batimba, while Jaylah Sturdivant comes to SSU after spending a year in junior college.

Jones, a 5'5" point guard is transferring from Flagler College where she averaged 4.2 points and 2.0 assists per game. prior to Flagler, Jones earned all-region honors at Savannah's Calvary Day School where she averaged 13 points, 4 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals per game.

Batimba, a 5-9 forward who comes to Savannah State from Stillman College. As a freshman, during the 2024-25 season, the Huntsville, Alabama native averaged 6.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while shooting 57 percent from the field. 

Sturdivant is a 6-foot-5 post player with four years of eligibility remaining, spent last season at Enterprise Community College.

Joining the Lady Tigers program from the high school ranks are Isabella Raymonde Makelele, Paris Floyd, Kierra Jackson, Maegan Jenkins, Madison Tinker, Jordan Lartey, Kylar Rae Johnson, Jamayah Carthon and Jariah Thomas.

Makelele (6'4") played at Saint Francis High School in Alpharetta, Georgia where she averaged 10 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks per game. 

Floyd (5'4") averaged 12 points and 4.6 steals per game at Grovetown (GA) High School where she was named Region 4-AAAAAA Defensive Player of the Year while earning First Team All-Region honors.

Jackson (5'8") is from Powder Springs, Georgia and played at Hillgrove High School. As a senior, she averaged 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals per game. Jackson was also named the Region 3-AAAAAA Player of the Year, named to the GHSA Class AAAAAA Georgia All-State Game and was selected to the 2025–26 GBCA/GACA All-Star Game. 

Jenkins (5'11") averaged 12.8 points and 5 rebounds per outing at Union Grove High School in McDonough, Georgia and was named First Team in Region 2-AAAA. 

Tinker (5'5") averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists per game at Gadsden High School in Alabama.

Lartey is a 6-foot forward who played at Archer High School in Lawrenceville, Georgia where she averaged 15 points and 5 rebounds per game.

Johnson, a 5-foot-10 forward averaged 17 points and 5 rebounds per outing at Langston Hughes High School in Fairburn, Georgia where she was named First Team in Region 3-AAAAA.

Carthon, a 5'10" forward, was named Second Team All-Region in Region 2-AAA, averaging a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds a night. 

Thomas (5'9") hails from Commerce, Georgia and earned the East Jackson High School Defensive MVP Award and made the 2-AA All-Region Honorable Mention squad while averaging 10 points and 7 rebounds per game.

Wallace feels confident with this signing class and says  the 2026–27 season is very promising. "With improved depth, a more strategic approach to roster construction, and a renewed focus on program culture, we anticipate measurable progress both in performance and in overall competitiveness."

He went on to add that "we are confident that this influx of talent, combined with returning student-athletes, will create a more competitive and balanced team. Additionally, the increased roster size will allow for greater flexibility in player development, lineup management, and overall program stability."

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