Once Sun Belt Conference play began last season for the UL women’s basketball team, Jaylyn James began knocking down 3-pointers and apparently opposing coaches noticed.
James was recognized as a second-team selection on the 2024-25 preseason All-Sun Belt Conference women’s basketball team.
James ended up making 25 3-pointers in league play last season and averaged 12.1 points per game. The former Mandeville High standout had a career-high 25 points against Arkansas State and reached double figures in five of her six games in January to earn more playing time.
As a team, the Ragin’ Cajuns were picked to finish fifth in the 14-team Sun Belt race with 122 points. James Madison received 12 of the 14 first-place votes for 191 total points, followed by Troy with two first-place votes and 169 points.
Old Dominion was right behind the Trojans in the third spot with 167 points, while UL-Monroe was selected fourth just ahead of the Cajuns with 150.
The first team was paced by preseason Player of the Year Peyton McDaniel of James Madison. The other first-team picks are Appalachian State’s Emily Carver, Marshall’s Aislynn Hayes, UL-M’onroe's Jakayla Johnson and the Georgia State duo of Crystal Henderson and Mikyla Tolivert.
Joining James on the second team are Old Dominion’s En’Dya Buford, Melyia Grayson of Southern Miss, James Madison’s Kseniia Kozlova, ULM’s Katlyn Manuel and Troy’s Shaulana Wagner.
Sun Belt women’s basketball
COACHES POLL
1. James Madison (12) – 191
2. Troy (2) – 169
3. Old Dominion - 167
4. UL-Monroe - 150
5. UL - 122
6. Marshall - 118
7. Southern Miss - 113
8. Georgia State - 107
9. Coastal Carolina - 77
10. Texas State - 67
11. App State - 61
12. Georgia Southern - 53
13. Arkansas State - 50
14. South Alabama - 25
PRESEASON ALL-SUN BELT
FIRST TEAM
Emily Carver, App State, Sr.
Aislynn Hayes, Marshall, Sr.
Crystal Henderson, Georgia State, Soph.
Jakayla Johnson, UL-Monroe, Sr.
Peyton McDaniel, James Madison, R-Jr.
Mikyla Tolivert, Georgia State, Sr.
Preseason Player of the Year
Peyton McDaniel, James Madison
SECOND TEAM
En’Dya Buford, Old Dominion, Gr.
Melyia Grayson, Southern Miss, Sr.
Jaylyn James, UL, Jr.
Kseniia Kozlova, James Madison, R-Sr.
Katlyn Manuel, ULM, Sr.
Shaulana Wagner, Troy, Sr.
THIRD TEAM
Ramsey Alancia, Coastal Carolina, Soph.
Zay Dyer, Troy, Jr.
Anna Griffin, Arkansas State, Sr.
Kelsey Thompson, Old Dominion ,Jr.
Ro Scott, James Madison, Gr.