News Summary
The Savannah State women’s basketball team sees a significant shift as three players, including Mya Byrd, Ja’Siiyah Holmes, and Fatou Kamara, enter the transfer portal. Additionally, the men’s basketball program announces its upcoming recruitment class while Coach Horace Broadnax retires after 20 years of influential leadership. Clevan Thompson steps in as interim head coach, ready to uphold Broadnax’s legacy.
Savannah, Georgia – A trio of players from the Savannah State women’s basketball team has entered the transfer portal, marking a significant shift for the program. The players include Mya Byrd, a guard, and post players Ja’Siiyah Holmes and Fatou Kamara.
Mya Byrd, who graduated in May 2025, has played for Savannah State University for two seasons after transferring from Georgia State. In the recently concluded 2024-25 season, Byrd averaged 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, making her one of the key contributors to the team.
Ja’Siiyah Holmes, a 6-foot-3 post player from Augusta, Georgia, faced challenges this past season, participating in only one game due to injury. During her freshman year, she averaged 2.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, showcasing her potential before her injury sidelined her.
Fatou Kamara, another 6-foot-3 post player, is originally from Dakar, Senegal, and did not participate during the 2024-25 season. Previously, Kamara played two years at the junior college level, with averages of 1.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per game at Grayson College and 2.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game at St. Petersburg College.
In a related development, Savannah State has announced its 2025-26 men’s basketball recruitment class, which will include six new players. This group is made up of three transfers, two junior college transfers, and one postgraduate transfer.
One of the notable additions is James Leach, a 6’6″, 200 lb. junior college transfer who previously excelled at Beach High School. During the 2024-25 season, Leach recorded an average of 6.3 points and 8.8 rebounds, highlighting his abilities in rebounding and defense.
Other newcomers include Ladarrius Chigano, a transfer center from Valdosta State known for his shot-blocking and athleticism; D’ontaye Strawter, a dominant 6’10”, 230 lb. big man from the College of Coastal Georgia noted for his low post and rebounding skills; Braylon Jackson, a 6’0″, 160 lb. transfer from the University of Tennessee Martin recognized for his scoring versatility; Mekhi Witter, a 6’5″, 190 lb. forward transferring from Andrew College; and Isaiah Isiche, a 6’2″, 190 lb. guard from DME Sports Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida, who brings an international perspective to the team.
Additionally, the Savannah State men’s basketball program is undergoing changes with the retirement of Coach Horace Broadnax after 20 years. Broadnax, a Florida native and former Georgetown standout, announced his retirement on Monday. His tenure at Savannah State was marked by significant achievements, including leading the team to three conference championships: a MEAC regular season title in 2012 which led to an NIT Tournament invitation, a MEAC crown in 2018, and a SIAC Tournament title in 2022 securing a spot in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
As the team stands at 5-6 overall and 3-4 in SIAC play this season, Broadnax clarified that his retirement was a personal decision not influenced by the team’s performance. His retirement allows him to pursue new passions and spend time watching his son Trae play basketball at Rice University.
In light of Broadnax’s retirement, Clevan Thompson, a former Savannah State player and assistant coach since 2023, will take over as interim head coach. Thompson has expressed excitement about the opportunity to build on Broadnax’s legacy. Savannah State Athletics Director Opio Mashariki has recognized Broadnax’s significant contributions to the program and expressed gratitude for his years of leadership.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Savannah State Volleyball Sets HBCU Attendance Record
Harold Hubbard Receives President’s Lifetime Achievement Award
Savannah State University Appoints New Men’s Basketball Coach
Quentin Brooks Becomes First Bethesda Academy Golfer to Sign with Savannah State
Clevan Thompson Appointed Head Coach of Savannah State Basketball
Bethesda Academy Golfer Signs with Savannah State University
Savannah Civil Service Board Calls Suspension of Corporal Keel Unjustified
Tragic Midair Collision Claims Lives of Three Soldiers
Richmond Hill Opens New High School Campus
Georgia Reports Highest Workplace Sex Discrimination Rates
Additional Resources
- Savannah Tribune: Savannah State Basketball Adds Six New Players
- Wikipedia: College Basketball
- Georgia Tech: Yellow Jackets Sign Savannah Samuel
- Google Search: Savannah State basketball
- 247 Sports: Arik Gilbert Enrolls at Savannah State
- Google Scholar: Savannah State basketball
- Savannah Now: Veteran Savannah State Basketball Coach Horace Broadnax Retires
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Savannah State University
Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER
SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
