A New Era for Longwood Women's Basketball
Longwood University’s women’s basketball program received a major boost this week as head coach Erika Lang‑Montgomery announced the addition of five transfer athletes for the upcoming 2026‑27 season.
The newcomers — Nal'La Bennett, Lyric Green, Shakira Gresham, McKayla Hosley and Idaysia Mercer — each bring a distinctive blend of experience, athleticism and proven performance that the coaching staff believes will elevate the team’s competitiveness.
Bennett, who transferred from Stony Brook University, arrives with a career that includes surpassing the 1,000‑point milestone and setting a school record for three‑point shooting in a single game, having logged 11 treys in one contest.
Green, a standout from Central Georgia Technical College, averaged 18 points and 16 rebounds per game last season and earned NJCAA All‑America honorable‑mention honors, while also holding the Dodge County record for points in a game with a 53‑point outburst.
Gresham, a junior from Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School in Atlanta, contributed 13.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.8 steals and 1.9 blocks per game, helping her squad capture the school’s first-ever state championship.
Hosley, a two‑time GIAA Class AAAA Player of the Year, played a pivotal role in guiding St. Anne Pacelli High School to back‑to‑back state titles in 2023‑24 and 2024‑25, underscoring her leadership and clutch performance.
Mercer, who spent two seasons at Wallace State Community College, averaged 9.6 points and 4.6 assists over 64 career games, leading the Vikings to the 2023‑24 Alabama 5A state finals and earning a spot on the all‑regional team.
Coach Lang‑Montgomery expressed confidence that the incoming class will not only fill current roster needs but also foster a culture of relentless competition, stating that the program is poised for a transformative period.