ORANGEBURG, S.C. — South Carolina State University second-year women's basketball coach Cedric W. Baker has announced the addition of seven student-athletes who will join the Lady Bulldogs for the upcoming 2026-27 season.

"We are excited about the addition of these outstanding student-athletes to our program," said Baker. "Recruiting is ongoing, but we have inked five talented young women who embody the standards and culture we are building at South Carolina State. Our focus remains on character and accountability, competitive toughness, academic discipline, strong support systems, a team-first mentality and a high basketball IQ with a willingness to be coached."

The Lady Bulldogs will add size, versatility and experience to a veteran returning roster with the additions of Ja'dore Hayes, Chase Thomas, Morgan Cochran, Alexcia Murphy, Ka'Lya Hankerson, K'leighonna Grable and Sami'ah Puckett.

Ja'dore Hayes | 6-3 | Forward/Post | North Miami High School | Miami, Fla.
Hayes arrives at South Carolina State following an outstanding prep career at North Miami High School. A three-time Dade County First Team selection, Hayes scored 1,571 career points while becoming the school's all-time rebounding leader with 1,386 rebounds. She also recorded 274 blocked shots and 66 double doubles during her high school career.

"Ja'dore is a hybrid post player with a nimble and efficient back-to-the-basket game," Baker said. "She brings tremendous interior footwork, competes on the block and can score through contact. She also has the versatility to step out, pass from the perimeter and stretch defenses.

Chase Thomas|5 -8 | Combo Guard | Blythewood High School | Columbia, S.C.
Thomas joins the Lady Bulldogs after earning South Carolina All-State honors at Blythewood High School. She averaged 22.1 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game while being named the Region V-5A Player of the Year. Thomas also helped lead her program to two state championships.

"Chase is an aggressive guard who rebounds, handles in transition and converts turnovers into points," said Baker. "She can score at all three levels, create off the dribble and play through contact with a scorer's mentality."

Morgan Cochran | 5-11 | Point Guard/Forward | Macon County High School | Montezuma, Ga.
Cochran comes to Orangeburg as one of the top all-around players in the region after earning First Team All-State honors and three consecutive Region Player of the Year awards. She averaged 19 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.5 steals and two blocks per game during her prep career.

"Morgan is a long, rangy and highly skilled athlete with tremendous size and floor vision," Baker said. "She can exploit mismatches, create from the perimeter and impact the game on both ends of the floor. Her versatility and playmaking ability make her a special addition to our program."

Alexcia Murphy | 5-10 | Forward | Troup County/Cowley College | West Point, Ga.
Murphy joins the Lady Bulldogs following a decorated prep and junior college career. Ranked No. 79 overall in the state of Georgia and No. 19 at her position, she earned Region 2-4A Player of the Year honors after scoring 1,400 career points and collecting 1,000 rebounds in high school. She also posted a career-high 41-point performance.

"Murphy is a shot maker, culture changer and system contributor," Baker said. "She is a physical player who attacks the rim, rebounds at a high level and creates space offensively. Her toughness, versatility and competitiveness will be a major asset for us."

Ka'Lya Hankerson | 6-2 | Guard | Savannah State | Savannah, Ga.
Hankerson transfers to South Carolina State after spending three seasons at Savannah State University, where she averaged 10.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game during her collegiate career.

"Ka'Lya brings valuable experience, versatility and size to our backcourt," Baker said. "Her ability to score, rebound and defend at a high level will immediately strengthen our roster."

Sami'ah Puckett |6-2|Power Forward|Griffin High School|Griffin, GA
Puckett earned Atlanta Journal-Constitution Honorable Mention recognition and was named Georgia Class 5A All-State during her prep career.

"Sami'ah is an athletic stretch-four with high-major footwork," Baker said. "She is a strong low-post player with a developing face-up, key-line drive game and above-average quickness in transition. She is an experienced Division I transfer who now has a renewed belief, rhythm and opportunity to make a difference."

K'leighonna Grable |6-2| Center| Springfield High School|Springfield Ohio
Grable arrives after earning statewide recognition in Ohio. Grable was ranked the No. 4 center and No. 65 overall player in Ohio by Prep Girls Hoops. Her honors include Honorable Mention All-State recognition from the OHSAA in Class 1A, Third Team All-Southwest District honors and Second Team All-Greater Western Ohio Conference recognition.

"K'leighonna is a passionate and confident low-block athlete who brings much-needed front-line size," said Baker. "She is developing a strong back-to-the-basket game, but what immediately stands out is her defensive presence in the paint. She alters and blocks shots, rebounds well and outlets with above-average foot speed in transition.

The Lady Bulldogs continue preparations for the 2026-27 season as Baker and his staff work to build on the program's foundation and position South Carolina State for success in the upcoming campaign.

ABOUT SC STATE ATHLETICS 
South Carolina State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 16 sports: women's golf, women's bowling, women's volleyball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's indoor track & field, softball, men's and women's outdoor track and field, women's soccer and football with all teams competing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), except for women's soccer. 
  
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