HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University women's basketball team announced its newest member of the 2026-27 squad, adding Diana Szakolczi to the Lions' signing class.
 
The 6-0 junior from Budapest, Hungary, joins the Lions after playing two seasons for Midland College of the NJCAA. Szakolczi led the Lady Chaps on the offensive side of the floor, posting a 13.4 points-per-game average during the 2025-26 season. The guard also brought in 4.8 rebounds per contest last season.
 
The Budapest native improved on her freshman season in 2025-26, starting in each of the team's 29 games. After her sophomore year, Szakolczi was named to the Western Junior College Athletic Conference All-Conference First Team.
 
SLU Head Coach Jeff Dow spoke about the addition of the All-Conference honoree to the 2026-27 team: "We're thrilled to add someone of Diana's caliber to our program. To be named 1st team all-conference in a competitive league like the WJCAC certainly is a testament to the season she just had."
 
Szakolczi was a consistent producer for Midland, scoring in double figures in 19 games in the 2025-26 campaign. She scored double-digit points in 11 consecutive contests, including a career-high 28 points in 33 minutes of play in a victory.
 
On Szakolczi's versatility, Dow said, "She has the size and ability to play either the 3 and the 4, and what really stood out was how well she finished around the rim."
 
Dow also spoke about the experience that Szakolczi brings to SLU, "She also had the opportunity to play under one of the most highly thought of head junior college coaches over the past 30 years in Ron Jones."
 
Midland Head Coach Ron Jones, whose resume includes over 700 wins through over 30 years of coaching the Lady Chaps, coached Szakolczi during the first two seasons of her collegiate career. Jones has developed over 55 NCAA Division I student-athletes over the course of his career.
 
Szakolczi becomes the sixth member of the 2026-27 Southeastern signing class, joining Lillian Merow and Shaine Parker among the newest Lady Lions with experience playing at the collegiate level.
 

2026-27 Southeastern Louisiana Women's Basketball Signing Class

 
Trinity Jackson-Wilkins – 6-2 – F – Austin, Texas – Hendrickson HS
 
Deena Holmes – 6-2 – F – Wichita, Kan. – Wichita Southeast HS
 
Ne'talya Hurst – 5-11 – G/F – Cibolo, Texas – Byron P. Steele HS
 
Lillian Merow – 6-2 – C – Port Washington, Wis. – University of Nebraska Omaha
 
Shaine Parker – 6-1 – F – Church Point, La. – Panola College
 
Diana Szakolczi – 6-0 – G – Budapest, Hungary – Midland College (Texas)
 
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. Southeastern offers mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics has instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.