Basketball Announces 2018-19 Commitments
The Brenau University Department of Athletics announces the 2018-19 commitments for the basketball program.
Three transfers and a host of younger players will join the Golden Tigers for their second season in the Appalachian Athletic Conference.
Dyiesha Brown, Jane Lester and Celine Vega are the transfer commitments for head coach Kris Stewart and the Golden Tigers basketball team.
"All three of these veteran players are welcome additions to our team," said Stewart. "We return a very strong core and each newcomer adds key depth and experience at critical positions."
Brown, the daughter of Patria and Duward Marks, is a transfer from Young Harris College and a graduate of Sprayberry High School in Marietta, Georgia.
During her prep career, Brown averaged 20 points per game for Sprayberry head coach Allen Carden. As a senior, the 5'10 forward was both a First-Team All-State selection and a 7AAAAA All-Region honoree.
While at Young Harris, Brown played in 31 contests, including posting 12 points against NCAA Division I Western Kentucky.
"Dyiesha will add athleticism and scoring to our team," said Stewart. "I expect her to have an immediate impact on both ends of the floor."
Lester, the daughter of Sarah Lester, is a transfer from Central Maine Community College and a native of Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia.
During her two years at Central Maine, the 5'11 forward averaged eight points and five rebounds in just over ten minutes of play and was a key contributor in helping the Mustangs to a 63-3 record. In the 2018 national championship game, Lester posted 16 points and nine rebounds to help her team earn a #2 national ranking.
"Jane is a very versatile, physical forward who can play inside or out," according to Stewart. "She can play in the paint, step out to the perimeter and run the floor. She will help our front court depth tremendously."
Vega, the daughter of Joel and Amanda Vega, is a transfer from USC-Aiken and a graduate of Flagler Palm Coast High School in Palm Coast, Florida.
During her prep career, Vega was a three-time all-conference honoree who tallied over 1,400 points and 250 assists. While at USC-Aiken, she appeared in 46 games, posting a career-high 11 points against Young Harris College last season.
"Celine is a very smart player that can both shoot the three and drive the lane," said Stewart. "She is a coach's daughter and will be a definite asset to our backcourt."
In addition to the three upperclassmen additions, the Golden Tigers add 11 new players to the reserve program.
Bayley Blackmon, Kasey Beavers, Tamia Francis, Shaniya Gause, Mariah Gibbs, Chloe Ireland, TyLeeah Maddux, Tatiyana McClendon, Katie Mullins, Brittany Pressley and Markeyvia Talley will add talent and depth to the team.
"Our younger players are very talented," said Stewart. "We are fortunate to have 14 juniors and seniors on our varsity squad, so our younger players will have a season of competition to adjust to college and learn our system. I fully expect those players to develop and flourish next season and be the future of our program."
The Golden Tigers, who posted the program's first 20-win season last year, will return 13 letter winners to the next year's squad.