OU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2024-2025 UPDATE

Women's Basketball 10/27/2024 6:22:00 PM

OAKWOOD WOMEN'S BASKETBALL 2024-2025 PREVIEW

Huntsville, Ala. – On paper, Oakwood University's women's basketball program is embarking on a rebuilding year.

With only five returners from last year's team that won a school-record 10 games and advanced to the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament for the first time, the Ambassadors appear to be in for a long season.

However, second-year coach Ronnie Abrams has other plans.

"I think we can win," said Abrams, a former All-American guard for the Ambassadors' men's team. "We have 11 new players, but we return a solid nucleus. If our returnees can keep us together until our newcomers come around, I think we'll have a chance."

HBCU Athletic Conference coaches believe Abrams.

The Ambassadors were picked to finish fifth in the preseason poll.

While Oakwood lost some key players, the biggest loss came when do-it-all guard Nekaya Williams transferred to Edward Waters University, an NCAA Division II school in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Williams led the Ambassadors in scoring, rebounding, assists, blocks and minutes enroute to earning first-team All-GCAC honors.

"We're going to miss her," Abrams said. "We wish her nothing but the best."

Still, the cupboard isn't bear.

Trenisha Adams will take over the Ambassadors' point guard duties.

Adams, a junior from Rome, Ga., averaged 12.4 points, five rebounds, 2.8 assists and led the league with 79 3-pointers.

"Trenisha is the glue to our team," Abrams said. "Not only will she lead us on offense, but she will guard the other team's best perimeter player."

Jakyla Diawara, Alecia Reasor and Jay'Lenia Thomas, a trio of juniors, join Adams among the list of returners. Jon'Toyrian McNeal also returns, but won't be eligible until after Christmas.

"We need Jakyla, Alecia and Jay'Lenia to help us hold the fort down until we get all the newcomers up to speed," Abrams said.

One of those newcomers, true freshman Saniya Keys, will be pressed into action early.

Keys, a 5-foot-10 freshman center from Cottonwood, Ala., averaged 22.5 points, 15.8 rebounds and three blocks per game.

"Trenisha and Saniya are going to be our 1-2 punch," Abrams predicted.

Three Oakwood volleyball players – Kamaria Murray, Cequoyah Harris and Myah Beasley – will join the team after the season and Abrams believes they can help the Ambassadors.

"Murray can really shoot the ball," he said. "Harris will help us defensively and Beasley played point guard at Paine College."

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Players Mentioned

#21 Trenisha Adams: SG; Sophomore

#4 Nekaya Williams: PG/SG; Sophomore

#10 Alecia Reasor: SG; Sophomore

#44 Jon'Toyrian McNeal: C; Sophomore

#1 Jakyla Diawara: C/F; Sophomore

#0 Jay'Lenia Thomas: C/F; Freshman

#35 Saniya Keys: C/F; 6' 0"; Freshman

#24 Kamaria Murray: G; 5' 8"; Freshman

#11 Myah Beasley: G; 5' 3"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#21 Trenisha Adams
: Sophomore
: SG

#4 Nekaya Williams
: Sophomore
: PG/SG

#10 Alecia Reasor
: Sophomore
: SG

#44 Jon'Toyrian McNeal
: Sophomore
: C

#1 Jakyla Diawara
: Sophomore
: C/F

#0 Jay'Lenia Thomas
: Freshman
: C/F

#35 Saniya Keys
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: C/F

#24 Kamaria Murray
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: G

#11 Myah Beasley
: 5' 3"; Junior
: G