ATLANTA, Ga. – The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) announced its 2025-26 Women's Basketball Preseason Honors, with Albany State standout
Na'Haviya Paxton earning recognition as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and a spot on the Preseason All-SIAC First Team. The Lady Golden Rams were projected to finish seventh in the East Division, according to the preseason poll voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
A native of Lake City, Fla., Paxton has proven herself as one of the most versatile players in the conference. Last season, she was the second-leading scorer and rebounder for Albany State while also making her mark on the defensive end. Paxton led the Golden Rams in steals, ranked third in the SIAC in steals overall, and added crucial rim protection with four blocks. Her ability to disrupt opposing offenses and fuel transition play earned her the respect of coaches across the league and solidified her reputation as one of the SIAC's premier two-way players.
With Paxton returning as a cornerstone, the Lady Golden Rams look to climb the standings and make a strong push in conference play during the 2025-26 season. Under the leadership of Head Coach Todd Triplett, Albany State will rely on Paxton's defensive tenacity, leadership, and offensive contributions as the program builds toward a competitive year in the SIAC.
Paxton's preseason recognition underscores both her individual impact and the potential of the Lady Golden Rams to surprise opponents and grow throughout the season.
Preseason teams are voted on by the conference's head coaches.
| FIRST TEAM |
| NAME |
POSITION |
SCHOOL |
CLASS |
HOMETOWN |
| Atreonia Garner* |
Guard/Forward |
Clark Atlanta |
Junior |
Spanaway, Wash. |
| Dyani Bernstine* |
Point Guard |
Lane |
Junior |
Richmond, Calif. |
| Trinity Jones* |
Guard |
Clark Atlanta |
Graduate |
Americus, Ga. |
| Keyra Peterson* |
Guard/Forward |
Clark Atlanta |
Senior |
Atlanta, Ga. |
| Na'Haviya Paxton |
Guard |
Albany State |
Senior |
Lake City, Fla. |
| – * RETURNING 2024-25 ALL-SIAC SELECTION |
| SECOND TEAM |
| NAME |
POSITION |
SCHOOL |
CLASS |
HOMETOWN |
| Eboni Clay |
Guard |
Allen |
Sophomore |
Portland, Ore. |
| Alayah Birch |
Guard |
Savannah State |
Sophomore |
Charleston, S.C. |
| Alaysia Nash |
Guard |
Benedict |
Junior |
Taylors, S.C. |
| Aaniyah Allen |
Guard |
Fort Valley State |
Junior |
Elberton, Ga. |
| Marley Bell |
Guard/Forward |
Fort Valley State |
Sophomore |
Montgomery, Ga. |
| THIRD TEAM |
| NAME |
POSITION |
SCHOOL |
CLASS |
HOMETOWN |
| Marley Freeman |
Guard |
LeMoyne-Owen |
Senior |
Jackson, Miss. |
| Ghylissa Knowles |
Guard |
Benedict |
Graduate |
Forest Park, Ga. |
| Makayla Rieves |
Forward |
Miles |
Senior |
Columbus, Miss. |
| Diara McBroom |
Guard |
Kentucky State |
Senior |
Los Angeles, Calif. |
| Kimora Wade |
Forward |
Fort Valley State |
Sophomore |
Valdosta, Ga. |
| PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR |
| NAME |
POSITION |
SCHOOL |
CLASS |
HOMETOWN |
| Atreonia Garner |
Guard/Forward |
Clark Atlanta |
Junior |
Spanaway, Wash. |
| PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR |
| NAME |
POSITION |
SCHOOL |
CLASS |
HOMETOWN |
| Na'Haviya Paxton |
Guard |
Albany State |
Senior |
Lake City, Fla. |
| PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH (BY DIVISION) |
| EAST |
| 1. Clark Atlanta |
| 2. Edward Waters |
| 3. Allen |
| 4. Savannah State |
| 5. Benedict |
| 6. Fort Valley State |
| 7. Albany State |
| WEST |
| 1. Miles |
| 2. Tuskegee |
| 3. Lane |
| 4. Kentucky State |
| 5. Central State |
| 6. Spring Hill |
| 7. LeMoyne-Owen |
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ABOUT ALBANY STATE ATHLETICS
Albany State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II-level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 11 sports: women's volleyball, women's tennis, women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, softball, men's and women's track and field, women's soccer, baseball, and football with all teams compete in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), except women's soccer, which participates in the Peach Belt Conference.
