BALTIMORE, MD – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) has announced its 2026-27 Basketball Preseason Prediction Order of Finish and Preseason All-CIAA selections, with Winston-Salem State University earning recognition on both the women's and men's sides. 

The WSSU women's basketball team was selected to finish first in the CIAA preseason order of finish and placed four student-athletes on the Preseason All-CIAA team. 

The Rams enter the 2026-27 season following a historic 2025-26 campaign in which WSSU posted a 28-4 overall record and a 14-2 mark in CIAA play, and a CIAA Championship while advancing to the NCAA Division II Tournament. 

Former CIAA Coach of the Year Tierra Terry returns to lead the Rams following the program's remarkable postseason run. 

WSSU's women's basketball preseason selections include: 

• Maia Charles – Charles was a dominant force for the Rams last season, averaging 13.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per game while shooting 49.5 percent from the field. She finished the season with 407 points and 287 rebounds. 

• Nevaeh Farmer – Farmer averaged 10.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game, while leading the team with 91 assists and 91 steals. 

• Breonna Roaf – Roaf contributed 5.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, totaling 184 points, 128 rebounds and 75 assists. 

• Ah'Kiyah Pye – Pye appeared in 27 games last season, averaging 6.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game while shooting 37.3 percent from the field. 

On the men's side, the Rams were selected to finish sixth in the CIAA preseason order of finish and had one player named to the Preseason All-CIAA team. 

Ronald Bridges Jr., a transfer from Lincoln University (Pa.), earned preseason recognition after averaging 12.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game during the 2025-26 season. Bridges Jr. shot 47.7 percent from the field, 38.3 percent from three-point range and 77.7 percent from the free-throw line. 

In CIAA play, Bridges Jr. elevated his production, averaging 18.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 48.9 percent from the field and 39.5 percent from three-point range. 

2026–27 CIAA Women's Basketball Predicted Order of Finish 

1. Winston-Salem State University 

2. Fayetteville State University 

3. Bowie State University 

4. Virginia State University 

5. Claflin University 

6. Virginia Union University 

7. Livingstone College 

8. Johnson C. Smith University 

9. Bluefield State University 

10. Shaw University 

11. Elizabeth City State University 

12. Lincoln University (Pa.) 

2026–27 CIAA Women's Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team 

Ka'Nyah O'Neal, Fayetteville State University* 
Kendahl Spearman, Virginia State University* 
Maia Charles, Winston-Salem State University* 
Nevaeh Farmer, Winston-Salem State University* 
Breonna Roaf, Winston-Salem State University* 
Azahreya Drayton-Gill, Bluefield State University 
Ah'Kiyah Pye, Winston-Salem State University 
Malaka Cobb, Bowie State University 
Nielle Reaves, Livingstone College 
Salote Franklin, Johnson C. Smith University 
La'Niya Sims, Johnson C. Smith University 
Laniya Scales, Fayetteville State University 

2026–27 CIAA Men's Basketball Predicted Order of Finish 

1. Fayetteville State University 

2. Bluefield State University 

3. Virginia State University 

4. Claflin University 

5. Virginia Union University 

6. Winston-Salem State University 

7. Johnson C. Smith University 

8. Lincoln University (Pa.) 

9. Bowie State University 

10. Livingstone College 

11. Shaw University 

12. Elizabeth City State University 

2026–27 CIAA Men's Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team 

Malachi Dark, Virginia Union University* 
Jaiden McGhee, Bowie State University* 
James Nipper, Livingstone College* 
Ellija Preddy, Bluefield State University 
Jared Davis, Johnson C. Smith University 
Anthony Davenport, Bluefield State University 
Travon Cooper II, Fayetteville State University 
Joseph Allen III, Fayetteville State University 
Davian Coleman, Virginia State University 
Julius Olanrewaju, Lincoln University (Pa.) 
Ronald Bridges, Jr., Winston-Salem State University 

* Indicates a student-athlete who earned All-CIAA honors last season. 

For more information on Winston-Salem State Athletics and its 12 varsity sports, visit wssurams.com.