HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University women's basketball team announced the addition of Ne'talya Hurst to the program, welcoming the newest freshman to a class that includes Trinity Jackson-Wilkins and Deena Holmes for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
 
SLU Head Coach Jeff Dow spoke about what the newest Lions bring to the team. "We're excited about the potential of this incoming freshmen class. In addition to our two transfers, we've taken another step forward in addressing our need for more length and athleticism at the wing and forward positions," said Dow. 
 
The 5-11 senior out of Byron P. Steele High School in Cibolo, Texas, Hurst joins SLU's incoming freshman class as a unanimous First Team All-District honoree in 2026. She was selected to compete in the San Antonio Express-News All-Star Game, also receiving the Game Ball of the Week from the San Antonio-based newspaper. Hurst was also successful off the court, being named to the honor roll in each of her four years of high school.
 
Hurst helped Steele achieve a 20-12 overall record with a first-place finish in district play, notching an 11-1 record en route to a district championship title. Hurst averaged 10.5 points per game in her senior season, reeling in 3.4 rebounds per contest. In her final season, Hurst was a 2025 Texas 6A State Semi-finalist.
 
On Hurst's ability to make an impact at the next level, Dow said, "Ne'talya is a player that has always embraced her role on the defensive end and that will give her a chance to get minutes as a true freshman. Her length and athleticism will allow her to defend guards and forwards alike. As she improves on the offensive end she can develop into a true two-way player."
 
Jackson-Wilkins arrives in Hammond after graduating from Hendrickson High School in Austin, Texas. The 6-2 forward was named 5A All-State by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. Jackson-Wilkins posted a season-high 26-point performance against Pflugerville High School in a double-overtime victory. She was also a proven winner at the high school level, winning over 150 games over the course of her career.
 
Jackson-Wilkins comes to Southeastern as a three-time All-District winner, a three-time All-Region honoree, and a two-time All-State selection. In her senior season, the Austin native also won All-Tournament, Team MVP, and All-Central Texas Player awards.
 
Dow spoke on Jackson-Wilkins' offensive capabilities, as well as her fit in Southeastern's lineup, saying, "Trinity is someone that can score in a variety of ways, whether it's in the paint or on the perimeter. She's shown the ability to create her own shot which, with her length, will help her as she transitions to this level. And we think she'll have the versatility to play multiple positions for us on both ends of the floor."
 
The 6-2 Holmes joins the Lions from Wichita Southeast High School, having played both forward and center in basketball, as well as middle blocker in volleyball. In her senior season with the Lady Buffs, Holmes scored in double figures six times, including a team-leading 20-point performance in Southeast's win over Wichita North. Holmes was also named a City Leagues Honorable Mention during her high school career.
 
"Deena we think has the potential to give us a physical and athletic presence in the post immediately both offensively and defensively," said Dow. "And that physicality that she brings will allow her to make an impact on the boards. As she expands her range on the offensive end she will become even more of a threat."
 
On Friday, May 8, Southeastern will host Bunko for Basketball, an event to support SLU women's basketball. Lion fans, aged 21 and older, can join in on the fun dice game by purchasing tickets for $60 at the door ahead of the event at 6 p.m. in the Student Union Grand Ballroom. Proceeds from the event hosted by the team and the Lion Athletics Association will go towards supporting Southeastern women's basketball.
 

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
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Women's Basketball, follow @LionUpWBB on X and Instagram or like /SoutheasternWBB on Facebook.
 
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.