BEAUMONT, Texas - Lamar University's women's basketball team got to the door to the NCAA Tournament as they fell short in the Southland Conference title game. The Cardinals will look to knock down that door next year and it all begins with adding new players, Head coach Aqua Franklin has brought in a group of four newcomers to help the squad.


Elise Jones - 5'10, G, Dallas, Texas (Midlothian HS)

Traveling down I-45 to Beaumont from Dallas, Jones will join the Cardinals following her tenure as a Lady Panther of Midlothian. While there, she was a two-time rebounding leader for the Panthers and also earned two first-team all-district and four academic all-district honors.

"Elise is a talented player who comes to us from the Dallas area," Coach Franklin says. "She has a unique ability to get downhill and finish at the rim. Because she is left handed I believe she adds a different element to our offense that we have not had in the last two years. She also a stellar student who will make an impact not only in the classroom but also in the Beaumont and Golden Triangle community.

 
Teni Kuyinu - 5'10, G, Houston, Texas (Dulles HS) (Angelina College)

A proud representative of H-town, Kuyinu will be transferring in to Beaumont after spending last season with the Roadrunners of Angelina College. In her career at AC, she appeared in 29 games scoring 5.6 ppg, including a season high 15 points against Baton Rouge Community College, and grabbing 3.2 rpg.

Prior to becoming a Roadrunner, she was a Viking for Dulles High School in Sugar Land. Averaging a double-double with 12.0 ppg and 10 rpg, Kuyinu was a four-time all-district member as well as a team MVP. Kuyinu intends to major in nursing while at LU.

"Teni is an incredible athlete and tremendous competitor. She can score the ball on all three levels and her athleticism adds a new dynamic to our team both offensively and defensively. She will be an exciting player to watch."


Victoria Mason - 5'7, G, Gilbert, Ariz. (Chandler HS) (Hampton University)

Arriving to Texas after spending three seasons at Hampton University in Virginia, Mason played 63 games and tallied 419 points for the Pirates. She also dished out 149 assists and stole the ball 118 times earning her all-defensive team honors.

Prior to HU, Mason, hailing from the Grand Canyon State of Arizona, spent her high school career with the Chandler Wolves. Averaging 16 points per game along with four steals and assists per game, this player, who also played AAU with the Arizona Elite, scored over 1,000 points and was team MVP all four years. She will be majoring in sports management while on campus.

"Victoria has an unbelievable motor and never takes a play off on either end of the floor," says Coach Franklin. "Her hustle, toughness and competitiveness on the defensive side of the ball will allow us to extend our defense 94 feet. Tori comes with experience, averaging 30 minutes per game, also earned All-Defensive Team honors while playing at Hampton University."
 

 
T'Aaliyah Miner - 5'11, G/F, New Orleans, La. (Kennedy HS) (Moberly Area CC)

Ready to make the jump from the Big Easy to Boomtown, Miner becomes a Cardinal after 32 games played last season as a Greyhound with Moberly Area Community College. She averaged 12.7 ppg and 6.8 rpg while leading her team to a 29-4 record and the second round of the NJCAA DI Women's Basketball tournament, which would garner her First Team All-Region honors. A year earlier, she spent time with the Plainsmen of Frank Phillips college collecting 13.8 ppg and 6.8 rpg.

At Kennedy High School (formerly Lake Area New Tech), she was selected as the MaxPreps Player of the Year as a freshman. She led her team in scoring and was second in rebounding and blocks.

"We are excited about the addition of T'Aaliyah," admits Coach Franklin. "She will add experience, size, versatility and depth to our program. Her athleticism, skill to defend multiple positions and her ability to rebound the basketball will make an immediate impact."

By adding these four women, along with fall signee Jacei Denley, the Cardinals will look to build on the 2022-23 season, which saw them win a program best 20 games in the Coach Franklin era and reached the SLC Championship game. For Coach Franklin, the excitement and optimism of building a potential conference championship contender could not be even higher.

"What a year it has been for Lamar Women's Basketball," Coach Franklin remarks. "To cap off a great season we grow our family by adding five incredible young ladies. After the season our staff discussed the future of our program and identified immediate areas of attention. I believe these ladies fit those areas and more."
 

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