REIGNING CHAMPIONS WINSTON-SALEM STATE AND FAYETTEVILLE STATE TOP CIAA BASKETBALL PRESEASON PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
CIAA Announces 2026–27 Preseason All-Conference Teams at Basketball Media Day and Introduces New Tournament Logo and “The Legacy Continues” Theme
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BALTIMORE, Md. – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®) officially tipped off the 2026–27 basketball season during CIAA Basketball Media Day in Baltimore, announcing the conference’s Preseason All-Conference Teams and Predicted Order of Finish for both women’s and men’s basketball.
The reigning CIAA champions will enter the new season right where they finished the last one, at the top.
Reigning CIAA Women’s Basketball Champion Winston-Salem State University was selected as the women’s preseason favorite, while reigning CIAA Men’s Basketball Champion Fayetteville State University earned the top spot on the men’s side.
“Every new season gives us an opportunity to celebrate where we have been while looking ahead to what is next for CIAA basketball,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker. “Winston-Salem State and Fayetteville State earned their place as champions last season, but now a new journey begins for all 12 of our member institutions. That is what ‘The Legacy Continues’ represents. Our student-athletes and coaches are building on the history of this conference while creating their own moments and their own legacy. We are excited to watch that journey unfold and ultimately bring everyone back together in Baltimore for another incredible championship experience.”
The preseason selections set the stage for another highly anticipated CIAA basketball season and the road to Baltimore for the 81st CIAA Men’s and 52nd CIAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, February 23–27, 2027, at CFG Bank Arena.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Winston-Salem State enters the 2026–27 season atop the CIAA Women’s Basketball Predicted Order of Finish after capturing the conference championship last season.
Fayetteville State University was selected second, followed by Bowie State University at No. 3, Virginia State University at No. 4 and Claflin University at No. 5.
The Rams also lead the Preseason All-Conference Team with four selections: Maia Charles, Nevaeh Farmer, Breonna Roaf and Ah’Kiyah Pye. Charles, Farmer and Roaf return after earning All-CIAA honors last season.
Fayetteville State placed two student-athletes on the preseason team with Ka'Nyah O’Neal and Laniya Scales, while Johnson C. Smith University is represented by Salote Franklin and La'Niya Sims.
2026–27 CIAA Women’s Basketball Predicted Order of Finish
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Winston-Salem State University
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Fayetteville State University
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Bowie State University
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Virginia State University
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Claflin University
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Virginia Union University
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Livingstone College
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Johnson C. Smith University
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Bluefield State University
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Shaw University
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Elizabeth City State University
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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
* Indicates a student-athlete who earned All-CIAA honors last season.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
On the men’s side, reigning CIAA champion Fayetteville State University enters the 2026–27 season atop the Predicted Order of Finish.
Bluefield State University was selected second, followed by Virginia State University at No. 3, Claflin University at No. 4 and Virginia Union University at No. 5.
The reigning champion Broncos placed Travon Cooper II and Joseph Allen III on the Preseason All-Conference Team. Bluefield State also earned two selections with Ellija Preddy and Anthony Davenport.
Avery Huggins of Shaw University and Malachi Dark of Virginia Union University return to the preseason team after earning All-CIAA honors last season.
2026–27 CIAA Men’s Basketball Predicted Order of Finish
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Fayetteville State University
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Bluefield State University
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Virginia State University
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Claflin University
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Virginia Union University
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Winston-Salem State University
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Johnson C. Smith University
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Lincoln University (Pa.)
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Bowie State University
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Livingstone College
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Shaw University
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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.
THE LEGACY CONTINUES
Basketball Media Day also marked the introduction of the new CIAA Basketball Tournament logo and visual identity, along with the official theme for the 2027 tournament, “The Legacy Continues.”
The theme celebrates the history and tradition that have defined CIAA basketball for generations while recognizing the student-athletes, coaches, institutions, alumni, fans and communities carrying that legacy forward.
As the CIAA prepares to celebrate the 81st Men’s and 52nd Women’s Basketball Tournament, “The Legacy Continues” connects the tournament’s historic foundation with its future in Baltimore.
The 2027 CIAA Basketball Tournament will once again bring together championship basketball, HBCU culture, education, community engagement and entertainment during one of the conference’s signature annual events.
81st CIAA Men’s & 52nd CIAA Women’s Basketball Tournament
February 23–27, 2027
CFG Bank Arena | Baltimore, Maryland
Additional information regarding tournament tickets, events, schedules and fan experiences will be announced throughout the season.
MEDIA CONTACT
Matisse S. Lee
mlee@theciaa.com
Senior Associate Commissioner, Communications & Marketing, Special Projects / SWA
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)
ABOUT THE CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member institutions: Bluefield State University, Bowie State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University (Pa.), Livingstone College, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University.