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2026 WBB Signing Class

Women's Basketball Adds Six Signees For 2026-27 Season

August 3, 2026

By: Morgan Sheehan, Assistant AD/Communications & Strategic Initiatives

PEMBROKE - UNC Pembroke women's basketball head coach Dr. Kendra Samuels-Eaton announced the addition of six players for the 2026-27 roster on Monday morning. Alicia Davis, Mia Lewis and Laila Staples all are transfer student-athletes that will be eligible to play immediately. Asia Burton, MJ Dabiri and Ty Pullman are incoming freshmen who will join the team and be eligible to play immediately. 

2026 WBB Signing Class
We're excited about this recruiting class! They bring scoring, depth, and a relentless mindset to every position. Every one of them has something to prove, and they're ready to compete every single day. We can't wait to watch them represent the black and gold this season. The future is bright.
UNC Pembroke Head Coach Dr. Kendra Samuels-Eaton
2026-27 Women's Basketball Roster

#1 ALICIA DAVIS
5-5, Sophomore, Guard
Hopkinsville, Ky. / Motlow State CC

Signing Alicia Davis

BEFORE UNCP: Played one season at Motlow State Community College for coach Daniel Price ... The team finisehd 16-16 while she averaged 13.0 points and 2.3 steals per game. 

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Hopkinsville High School for coach Keith Leslie ... Helped her team to a 10-13 record during her senior year where she averaged 12.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game ... Named the offensive player of the year, all-district and all-region. 

PERSONAL: The daughter of Shanna Willis and SirRyan Davis ... Has four brothers, Justin, Elijah, Zech, and Jesmun ... Also has three sisters, Wisdom, Deja, and LaNiyah ... Maintained a 3.8 grade point average at Hopkinsville High School ... A member of FBLA and yearbook ... Enjoys shopping and doing her nails ... The Minnesota Timberwolves are her favorite team and pasta is her favorite food ... An exercise science major at UNCP. 
 

Alicia is going to be a tough matchup for anyone. She brings experience, toughness, and a high level of competitiveness to our point guard position. She’s a dynamic guard who can impact the game on both ends of the floor. Her quickness allows her to get downhill at will, while her ability to knock down the three and create for her teammates makes her a constant threat. Adding her to our program makes our guard play even stronger. We can’t wait to see how her game translates to Conference Carolinas.
- Head Coach Dr. Kendra Samuels-Eaton

#11 MIA LEWIS
5-6, Junior, Guard
Paterson, N.J. / Claflin

Signing Mia Lewis

AS A SOPHOMORE AT CLAFLIN (2025-26): Averaged 9.0 points per game and shot 43.0 percent from the field. 

AS A FRESHMAN AT PALM BEACH STATE (2024-25): Averaged 12.7 points per game and shiot 38.4 percent from the field. 

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Immaculate Conception High School for coach Jummy Kreie ... Helped her team to a 25-5 record during her senior year ... Earned first team all-conference honors. 

PERSONAL: The daughter of Lynette Roman and Ivan Lewis ... Has two younger brothers, Jaylen and Kye ... Maintained a 4.0 grade point average at Immaculate Conception High School ... A member of the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Rho Kappa and Math Honors Society ... Enjoys hiking and being outdoors ... Lists her parents as her idols ... Pasta is her favorite food and Creed is her favorite movie ... A psychology major at UNCP. 

Mia brings experience, leadership, and another dynamic scoring threat to our team. Her presence on the floor makes everyone around her better, and we're excited to add a player with her skill set to our program. She has the ability to score at all three levels while also making an impact on the defensive end. Although she's quiet off the court, she plays with confidence and intensity once the game begins. We can't wait to see her in a Braves uniform this season and watch the difference she'll make for the black and gold.
- Head Coach Dr. Kendra Samuels-Eaton

#21 ASIA BURTON
5-7, Freshman, Guard
Franklinton, N.C. / Franklinton HS

Signing Asia Burton

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Franklinton High School for coach Bryan Perry ... Named the Conference Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year ... Also earned first team all-conference honors. 

PERSONAL: The daughter of Quanunita and Steven Burton ... Has a younger brother, Steven ... Maintained a 4.1 grade point average at Franklinton High School ... Ranked 29th out of her 272-member senior class ... A member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta ... Enjoys sewing and playing pickleball ... Lists her sister as her idol and K-Pop Demon Hunters as her favorite movie ... A biomedical science major at UNCP. 

Asia is a true bucket getter. We’ve been watching her game for the past few years, and we’re excited to finally welcome her to the black and gold. Despite drawing Division I interest, she chose to be part of our program, and we couldn’t be happier. Her ability to create her own shots and score at all three levels makes her a dangerous offensive threat. With her work ethic and drive to keep improving, we know she’ll make an immediate impact and help us win a lot of games. We can’t wait to see what she accomplishes this season.
- Head Coach Dr. Kendra Samuels-Eaton

#24 MJ DABIRI
6-0, Freshman, Forward
Prince George's County, Md. / Glenelg HS

Signing MJ Dabiri

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Glenelg High School for coach Maureen Robinson ... Helped her team to a 19-7 record during her senior year ... Named the county player of the year. 

PERSONAL: The daughter of Oluwafunke Gbadamosi and Emmanuel Dabiri ... Has a younger brother, Nathanael ... Also has three younger sisters, Manuela, Isabel, and Hannah ... Maintained a 3.7 grade point average at Glenelg High School ... Enjoys water parks, food and nature walks ... Lists her mom and stepdad as her idols ... The Transformers are her favorite movies ... An exercise science major at UNCP. 

MJ is a versatile player who can impact the game both inside and out. Her size creates matchup problems all over the floor—she can score with her back to the basket, put the ball on the floor, and attack off the dribble with confidence. She's relentless on the boards, plays with toughness, and brings a swagger that makes her presence felt every time she steps on the court. As she continues to develop her game, the sky is the limit. We can't wait to see the impact she'll make in the black and gold.
- Head Coach Dr. Kendra Samuels-Eaton

#25 TY PULLMAN
6-0, Freshman, Guard
Greenwood, S.C. / Woodmont HS

Signing Ty Pullman

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Woodmont High School for coach Eric Burrow ... Her team finished 9-18 during her senior year where she averaged 17.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game ... Scored 1,000 points in her career ... Named all-region and all-county ... Also lettered in track & field. 

PERSONAL: The daughter of Tequila Jones ... Has one younger brother, Kitrell ... Also has an older sister, Anaria ... Maintained a 4.4 grade point average at Woodmont High School ... Enjoys playing 2K and Fortnite ... Love and Basketball is her favorite movie and the Oklahoma City Thunder is her favorite team ... A biology major at UNCP.  

Ty brings toughness, grit, and a relentless work ethic to our program. She plays with a high motor every time she steps on the floor and competes on every possession—qualities that will make an immediate impact for our team. She can score, rebound, and battle with the best of them, giving us valuable depth in the post. We're excited to watch her continue to grow and compete at the highest level while representing the black and gold.
- Head Coach Dr. Kendra Samuels-Eaton

#30 LAILA STAPLES
6-4, Sophomore, Forward/Center
Snellville, Ga. / Roanoke

Signing Laila Staples

BEFORE UNCP: Played one season at Ronoake for coach Carla Flaherty ... Saw action in 18 games and averaged 7.3 minutes and 2.8 points per game. 

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Patrick Henry High School for coach Eugene Cook ... Named first team all-region and second team all-district. 

PERSONAL: The daughter of Cherie Swaine and Osmar Staples ... Has two younger sisters, Nila and Saniah ... Maintained a 3.4 grade point average at Patrick Henry High School ... Enjoys reading, watching TV and baking ... Lists A'ja Wilson as her idol and Avatar as her favorite movie ... Taquitos are her favorite food ... A criminal justice major at UNCP. 

Landing a 6'4" post player at our level doesn't happen very often, so signing Laila was a huge win for our program. Her size, presence, and potential make her an exciting addition for the Braves. Laila brings a strong work ethic, competitiveness, and a willingness to improve every single day. She's only beginning to tap into her potential, and we're excited to watch her game continue to develop over the coming months. We can't wait to see the impact she'll make for our program.
- Head Coach Dr. Kendra Samuels-Eaton