A Roster Restocked with Experience and Youth
The Saluki Women's Basketball team is entering the 2025‑26 season with a blend of seasoned contributors and promising newcomers, hoping to translate depth into more wins after a 10‑20 overall record last year.
Senior guard Kynnedi Davis returns after averaging 10.6 points per game and shooting 90 percent from the free‑throw line at Trinity Valley Community College, bringing a reliable scoring threat and poise down the stretch.
Also back is senior guard Kayla Cooper, whose defensive intensity has been highlighted by 88 steals over the past season and a career average of 10.8 points while logging over 30 minutes per game.
Veteran guard Tkiyah Nelson, who led the team in assists with 124 over three seasons and added 42 steals, provides playmaking and defensive versatility as she prepares for another year as a starter.
The frontcourt will see the addition of junior centers Mia Gaines and Carmen Morales, the latter boasting a 57 percent field‑goal percentage in her first year at SIU, adding size and efficiency inside.
Four true freshmen from Illinois — Lynelle Awou, Jamisen Green, Chellise Jones and Haeli Tart — bring high school accolades and local ties, while five transfers — Braxcynn Baker from Murray State, Raeven Boswell from Pittsburgh, Shakara McCline from DePaul, Yaiza Paredes Diaz from Eastern Wyoming College and Fredriecka Wallace from Arizona — infuse additional experience.
Coach Kelly Bond‑White emphasizes the leadership of Davis, the competitive fire of Cooper and the growth of Nelson as cornerstones for the team's development.
The schedule will test the Salukis early, with conference play against Missouri Valley rivals and non‑conference matchups that include trips to Texas and Spain, offering a chance to gauge progress against diverse competition.
With a focus on player development and defensive cohesion, the program hopes the mix of returning talent and new faces will translate into a more competitive outlook as they aim to climb above .500.