AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta University women's basketball head coach Celeste Stewart has announced the addition of eight newcomers to the Jaguars' roster for the 2026-27 season.

The group includes six transfers and two freshmen. Raina Burns, Trinity Thomas, Mahkayla Premo, Anaya Beard, Sariah Ammons, Shiyah Forte, Zahkiyyah Frazier and Reagan Buff join returners 1st Team All-Conference Performer Quinasia Abercrombie, Sierra Burns, Sa'Niah Dorsey, Rhianna Mateyka, Cierra McGinlay and Chloe Ross.

Raina Burns
Augusta, Ga. • 5'5" • Guard
Sophomore – Notre Dame of Maryland University

Burns joins Augusta after spending her freshman season at Notre Dame of Maryland University. She averaged 8.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game during the 2025-26 season. An Augusta native, Burns attended Lucy C. Laney High School.

Coach Stewart on Burns:
"Raina is a point guard who will bring a unique dynamic to our team. She is strong, embraces physicality, and has a long range from the three-point line. She can create for her teammates and play at her own pace. With her shooting ability she will be able to stretch the floor and open up more opportunities for our team offensively."

Trinity Thomas
Montgomery, Ala. • 5'7" • Guard
Senior – Lander

Thomas comes to Augusta after three seasons at Lander, where she appeared in 63 games with 41 starts. As a junior, she averaged 11.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while ranking second on the team with 285 points. Thomas added 44 assists and 44 steals while leading the Bearcats with 18 blocked shots. She scored a career-high 23 points against Erskine and grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds against Carson-Newman. As a sophomore, she averaged 9.7 points per game while starting 26 contests.

Thomas attended Greater Atlanta Christian in Norcross, Ga., where she was a co-holder of the school record for three-pointers in a game and earned Defensive Player of the Year, Coaches Player of the Year and MVP honors. She helped the basketball program to two state runner-up finishes.

Coach Stewart on Thomas:
"Trinity is guard who brings great experience to our program. Someone who has played in our conference for the past three years. Has shown her ability to score at a high rate. She is a two-way player who makes an impact in many ways. Offensively she is a three-level scorer, with a good basketball IQ and will create versatility for us at the guard spot. Defensively she has great instincts with good anticipation skills which is great for us on the defensive side of the ball."

Mahkayla Premo
Savannah, Ga. • 5'3" • Guard
Graduate – USC Aiken

Premo joins Augusta after playing at USC Aiken. She attended Calvary Day School in Savannah, Ga., where she lettered in basketball, flag football and track and field.

Coach Stewart on Premo:
"Mahkayla is a veteran point guard in our conference, who has great vocal leadership abilities with a competitive edge. She plays with passion on both ends of the floor and is not afraid to embrace challenges. She has shown her ability over the years to knock down the 3pt shot while also finishing at the rim and creating opportunities for her teammates. She also shows the ability to be a pest defensively."

Anaya Beard
Fullerton, Calif. • 6'0" • Forward
Junior – Santa Ana College

Beard joins Augusta after playing at Santa Ana College. Last season, she led her team in scoring and rebounding and earned all-conference honors.

Coach Stewart on Beard:
"Anaya brings versatility to the forward position. Last season she led her team in points and rebounding, which shows her ability to be a two-way player. She embraces physicality, has good footwork around the basket, and can use her athleticism to her advantage with different matchups. She is an all-conference player who continues to grow her game."

Sariah Ammons
5'7" • Guard
Freshman

Ammons joins Augusta as a freshman guard from New Smyrna Beach, Florida. 

Coach Stewart on Ammons:
"Sariah is a versatile guard who brings athleticism to our perimeter play. Has good basketball vision and IQ to create for her teammates. She is a quick shifty guard who can play multiple positions. Has good ball handling ability which makes her more versatile in the guard spot. She is a competitor who has experience playing in big moments and winning championships."

Shiyah Forte
Hopkinsville, Ky. • 6'2" • Forward/Center
Junior – Southwestern Michigan College

Forte joins Augusta after playing at Southwestern Michigan College.

Coach Stewart on Forte:
"Shiyah is a versatile forward who can play inside and on the perimeter. She is athletic, physical, who rebounds very well, runs the floor, has a competitive edge who takes pride in guarding defensively. She can use her strength to her advantage from the perimeter and can stretch the floor offensively. Takes pride in being a tough competitor."

Zahkiyyah Frazier
Philadelphia, Pa. • 6'1" • Center
Junior – University of Bridgeport

Frazier joins Augusta after playing at the University of Bridgeport. As a sophomore, she nearly averaged a double-double and ranked among the top 30 in NCAA Division II in rebounds per game.

Coach Stewart on Frazier:
"Zahkiyyah is a Center who nearly averaged a double double as a sophomore, was ranked Top 30 in NCAA in rebounds per game. Her relentless effort to rebound and finish through contact will be valuable to our success this season. She has shown her ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Also, can be a rim protector for our team."

Reagan Buff
Greenville, S.C. • 5'9" • Guard
Freshman – Legacy Early College

Buff joins Augusta from Legacy Early College in Greenville, S.C.

Coach Stewart on Buff:
"Reagan is a sharpshooter from long range, who can also create her own shot. She embraces contact and is capable of finishing well around the basket. She is a player that can impact the game in more ways than one. She has a competitive edge with a good basketball IQ. She is a player who plays with passion and is ready to embrace a challenge."

Augusta enters the 2026-27 season coming off a historic postseason run that saw the Jaguars capture the Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship for the first time in 33 years. The Jaguars will look to build on that championship season and NCAA tournamnt berth.