LUT WILLIAMS BCSP Editor
The 2026 edition of the Black college Sports page “Baad Team” of women’s black college basketball all-stars is being unveiled this week.
Leading the pack of Div. I stars is Howard’s 6-2, senior forward Zennia Thomas, who like her counterpart on the men’s “Baad Team,” Howard grad senior guard/ forward Bryce Harris, led the Mid Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in both scoring (15.2 ppg.) and rebounding (7.9 rpg.) while leading her team to regular season and tournament titles and an automatic bid to the NCAA Div. I Tournament.
Like Harris, Thomas was also the regular season and tournament most valuable player that cements her status as the 2025-26 Div. I ‘Baad Team’ player of the year.
Among those joining Thomas on the Div. I first team are 5-5, grad guard and Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year Kalia Walker of Alabama A&M who finished second in the league in scoring at 14.5 points per game and was the offensive engine to the Lady Bulldogs first-ever regular season SWAC title with a 17-1 conference record.
Also on the first team is 6-foot, guard/forward Nakia Cheatham of Alcorn State, named the SWAC’s defensive player of the year, who was among the SWAC leaders in scoring (12.8 ppg., T6th), blocks (1.2 bpg., 5th) and steals (2.2, 1st) while helping propel the Lady Braves to a second-place (14-4) finish. Norfolk State junior guard Da’Brya Clark was an all-MEAC first teamer who averaged 13.9 points per game while leading the Lady Spartans to a second-place tie (11-3) in the conference standings.
North Carolina A&T redshirt senior, 6-4 center Chaniya Clark, in the final piece and lady in the middle after earning a first-team all-CAA designation averaging 12.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
The “Baad Team” from the NCAA Div. II/ NAIA ranks is led by a diminutive freshman who guided Miles to its third straight SIAC tournament title.
Five-three dynamo point guard Samarian Franklin averaged 12.4 points per game, led the league in assists (5.3 apg.) and was third in steals (1.1 spg.) and dominated postseason play as the Lady Golden Bears three-peated.
She is joined on the first team by SIAC Player of the Year, 5-10 junior G/F Atreonia Garner of Clark Atlanta (17.9 ppg., 1st, 8.1 rpg., 4th), Winston-Salem State standout forward Maia Charles (12.9 ppg., 9.2 rpg.), the centerpiece of the
Lady Rams’ run to the CIAA tournament title and to the finals of the NCAA Div. II Atlantic Regional.
CIAA Player of the Year Bruni Martinez of Virginia Union whose 14.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per game kept the Lady Panthers in CIAA contention and Edward Waters junior point guard Imani Harris (10.9 ppg., 5.1 rpg.) who led the Lady Tigers to the best record (23-6, 21-3) in the SIAC round out the team.