Norfolk, Va. - Old Dominion Women’s Basketball Head Coach DeLisha Milton-Jones has unveiled the eight-member recruiting class for the 2025-26 season, as announced on Tuesday.
This year’s class is the most talented we’ve had in my five years as head coach at ODU, if I had to choose one word to describe this team, it would be versatile,” said ODU Head Coach DeLisha Milton-Jones. “As a unit, we have lineups with depth and flexibility that we haven’t had on previous rosters. With that versatility, we plan to play more aggressively on both ends of the floor and make the game even more exciting.”
Nakiyah Allen - Junior - F - 5’10”
Boyce, La. / Northwood High School (Kilgore College)
Allen, is a transfer from Kilgore College in Texas. As a sophomore she averaged 12.7 points per game in 32 games played while shooting at a 62.4 clip from the field and averaged six rebounds per game. Allen had eight games scoring 15+ points against opponents and had five games with 10+ boards. In high school, Allen is a WBCA First Team JUCO All-American, a Region 14 MVP and First Team selection as well as a two-time state champion, Region 14 Tournament MVP and a two-time district MVP. Allen does good things both on and off the court being named to the NJCAA All-Academic Team.
“Nakiyah is a true force in the paint, but what makes her unique is her ability to shoot from the perimeter,” said Jones. “She was one of the top post players in all of JUCO, leading Kilgore College to the national JUCO tournament - a feat the program hadn’t achieved in over a decade, despite its rich history. We’re expecting big things from her this season.”
Dalanna Carter - Junior - G - 5’6”
Beach City, Texas. / Barbers Hill High School (Coastal Carolina)
Carter is a 5’6” junior guard that has transferred to Old Dominion from Coastal Carolina. She played in 31 games her sophomore year and made two starts, her freshman season saw her start 12 games out of the 33 she played in. In the 2024-25 season, Carter scored a season high 11 points on 5-6 shooting (.833) twice, the first against Coker in 20 minutes on the court. The second time was in a Sun Belt Conference game against Louisiana, going 3-5 (.600) and 5-6 from the free throw line (.833) in 16 minutes of action.
A versatile guard who can change the game on both ends of the floor, Dalanna can score in a variety of ways and defend the best of them.” said Jones. “Her speed and toughness are game-changing, with her big-game experience she brings a veteran presence that is crucial to winning.”
Alisha Nunley - Junior - G - 5’5”
Euless, Tx. / Euless Trinity High School (Collin County Community College)
Nunley is headed to Norfolk from Collin County CC after averaging 18.1 points per game in her sophomore season. In her freshman campaign in the NJCAA, she started 32 of 33 games and averaged 11.8 points per game in 28.9 minutes per game. She started 31 of 31 games in her sophomore season and shot more efficiently from the field, from behind the arc, and made more free throws per game than the previous season. She scored 20+ points on nine separate occasions and scored 35 points twice, her season high of 37 came against Temple College in a 89-73 victory, adding on 10 rebounds for the double-double. Nunley hails from Euless, Texas and went to Trinity High School. She was named a NJCAA First Team All-American and is a two-time First Team All-Conference selection. Additionally, she was named the Region 5 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. For her work in the classroom she was selected to the NJCAA All-Academic Team.
“Alisha is one of the top combo guards in all of JUCO, a First Team JUCO All-American and Region V Player of the Year - phenomenal achievements,” said Jones. “She’s special. She plays both ends of the floor at a high level, scores at all three levels, and defends even better. She’ll play all three guard positions for us, and we can’t wait for fans to fall in love with her energy.”
Jaylen Ponder - Senior - F - 5’11”
Pompano, Fla. / Blanche Ely High School (Coastal Carolina/Saint Petersburg College)
Ponder is heading to ODU by the way of Coastal Carolina. The Pompano, Florida native previously attended St. Petersburg College for two years. Last season, she started 11 games and scored a season-high 15 points against ULM. The forward averaged 6.6 points per game in 14.8 minutes played, making 21 threes in 32 games while shooting 32% from behind the arc. She did not play in her junior year, in her sophomore season at Saint Petersburg College she started 28 of her games played, averaging 11.1 points per game on 42% shooting from the field and 32.8% from deep.
“One of the most athletic players we've had during my time at ODU - her athleticism is on par with Amari Young, which is saying something.” said Jones. “Jaylen is extremely gifted. She defends at a high level and can score in multiple ways. Her big-game experience will be vital to our success this season.”
T’anna Saddler - Freshman - F - 6’1”
Dallas, Texas. / Lincoln High School
T’anna Saddler is an incoming freshman from Lincoln High School in Dallas, Texas. In her senior season she was named Offensive player of the year and was named All-District 2024 and All-Region 2024 after playing in 28 games and averaged 11.2 points per game on 53% shooting from the field and grabbed 5.2 rebounds per game. With Lincoln, she won the Texas UIL 5A State Championship.
“The only true high school signee in this class, she brings tremendous potential and raw talent to the team,” said Jones. “A natural shooter with great touch, she adds immediate offensive value. As she continues to develop into the post presence we need, we’re confident she has even more to offer—and we’re excited to help bring that out.”
Nevaeh Scott - Junior - G - 5’6”
Memphis, Tenn. / Bartlett High School (Northwest Florida State College)
Nevaeh Scott is transferring to Old Dominion from Northwest Florida State College. The incoming 5’6” junior guard calls Memphis, Tennessee home. She took a big jump in her sophomore season going from nine starts in 34 games played in her freshman year to 35 starts in 35 games played in her second. Scott averaged 29.1 minutes per game and 12.5 points per game. An efficient scorer, she shot 47% from the field on nine shots per game, 45% from behind the arc, and 86% from the free throw line. NFSC won the DII National Championship last season and Scott rose with the moment. In the NJCAA Sweet 16, she finished with 20 points on 8-15 shooting and 3-4 from deep in a 59-41 victory of Wallace State CC-Hanceville. Scott came back in the Elite 8 with another dominating performance, scoring 29 points in an 83-78 win over Three Rivers CC, notably knocking down 10-12 free throws and making 9-out-of-16 shot attempts. In the Final Four, she scored 24 points on 8-of-11 attempts, going 2-of-3 from deep and a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe in a 70-60 win over Eastern Arizona College. Scott did not miss a beat in the NJCAA National Championship, scoring 25 points in a 62-53 win over Shelton State CC. She went 9-for-9 from the free throw line including six clutch free throws in the final 1:35 of the fourth quarter to expand a three-point lead to a nine-point lead to ice the game. Scott was named the NJCAA Tournament MVP and collected First Team All-Conference, and NJCAA First Team All-American honors.
“The best point guard in JUCO, she had Power Five offers from Baylor, Louisville, and Clemson,” said Jones. “A proven winner - you don’t win a national JUCO championship without a great point guard. Navaeh is special in so many ways. She controls the game like a coach on the floor. Her passing ability is elite, and she can score in every way imaginable. Her presence alone elevates the entire team. The sky’s the limit—only time will tell.”
Riley Stack - Junior - F - 6’4”
Piedmont, S.C. / Wren High School (Coastal Carolina)
Stack is transferring to Old Dominion from Coastal Carolina. Stack will be a junior in the 2025-26 season, in her sophomore season she averaged 4.2 points per game and 3.1 rebounds per game in 14 minutes on the court. She led the Chanticleers and ranked sixth in the Sun Belt with 38 total blocks (1.2 per game). Her 104 total blocks through two seasons in Conway ranked fourth-most in a career in program history. Stack was 10-27 from deep last season (.383) and shot a reliable 36-46 (.783) from the free throw line. In her freshman season Stack ranked first in the Sun Belt in total blocks (66). In High School, she was named All-State three times and All-Region four times.
“Riley is one of the most versatile post players in the Sun Belt Conference, she can shoot from the outside, put the ball on the floor, and get to the rim,” said Jones. “Her presence in the paint is invaluable, and she has the potential to be one of the best bigs in the conference. Her big game experience will be key for us this year.”
Laila Walker - Senior - F - 6’4”
Gulfport, Miss. / Harrison Central High School (ULM/Jackson State)
Walker is a 6’4” transfer from ULM. Last season for the Warhawks, Walker averaged 17.4 minutes, 4.4 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game, and swatted 30 blocks while swiping 12 steals on the defensive end. She scored 12 points on 55% shooting from the field and secured 16 rebounds in a 74-66 win over Texas State. Before ULM, Walker spent two seasons at Jackson State playing in 46 games over those years. In her sophomore season she averaged 2.9 points per game shooting 59.3% from the field and grabbed 3.5 rebounds per game.
“Laila is an athletic 5 who loves to run the floor and rebound. We’re excited to see her grow into a more prominent role on the offensive end this season. The sky’s the limit for her - she has the potential to become one of the best bigs in the Sun Belt Conference.” Said Jones.