Xavier University announced this week that Kejia Ran will join the Musketeers' women's basketball team for the 2026‑27 season, adding a versatile 6‑foot‑0 guard to the program.
A Strategic Addition
Ran arrives after being selected 43rd overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream, a milestone that makes her only the fourth player of Chinese heritage ever chosen in the draft.
The native of Dazhou, Sichuan, brings a résumé that includes stints with the Chinese national youth teams, a championship run at the 2025 Chinese National Games (Youth Division) and a bronze‑medal performance at the 2024 Chinese Youth Three‑Ball Games, where she was named to the all‑tournament first team.
International Experience
Her contributions on the international stage are highlighted by a standout showing at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup, where she averaged 19.1 points and 11.3 rebounds per game.
Coach Billi Chambers praised the addition, noting that Ran's blend of size, shooting and rebounding fits the team's evolving style, and expressed optimism that the guard will help the Musketeers compete at a higher level in the coming years.
A Global Talent in Cincinnati
Ran's move to Cincinnati marks the next step in a transnational career that has taken her from the courts of Sichuan to the world stage, and the university hopes her presence will inspire further growth of the program's global outreach.