2024-25 Record: 13-18 (7-11)

Head Coach: Octavia Blue (5th season) knows improvements in scoring efficiency (62.2 PPG) and rebounding (35.4 per game) will be crucial against a tougher conference slate. Emaya Lewis, a local product and former Region 8-5A Player of the Year at Loganville High, Lewis transfers from Florida Atlantic after a promising freshman campaign (2.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, nine blocks in 22 games). At FAU, she flashed potential with a career-high eight rebounds against Bethune-Cookman and efficient scoring bursts (six points on 3-of-5 shooting at No. 9 TCU). Lewis' length and shot-blocking instincts make her an immediate starter candidate alongside 6-6 sophomore center Mame Kane, bolstering a frontcourt that ranked middling in defensive rebounding last year.

At the heart of Kennesaw State's perimeter attack is junior guard Kailyn Fields, a 5-6 dynamo from Atlanta who embodies the explosive, quick-first-step style Blue covets. Entering her third season with the Owls after a standout high school career at Galloway (where she was tabbed as one of Georgia's top combo guards), Fields has evolved into a reliable starter and playmaker. As a sophomore in 2024-25, she appeared in all 31 games with 30 starts, posting a career-high 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting in a road win at Louisiana Tech. Her season highlights included multiple games with five or more assists (showcasing her vision) and three or more steals (highlighting her defensive quickness), while knocking down nine threes against Georgia State.

Fields' ability to push the pace, finish at the rim, and space the floor with her three-point shot (career 3-for-5 in a single game) makes her a perfect fit for Blue's system. Off the court, the psychology major (with aspirations in biochemistry) brings leadership as a two-time high school co-captain. If she builds on her 2024-25 efficiency, Fields could flirt with double-digit scoring averages, serving as the engine for a backcourt that also features transfers like Marihya Hart and Shania Nichols.

Kailyn Fields is a vocal leader, keeping teammates positive and motivated, stating, "Even though I feel the sting too, I know I have to be a positive influence, helping everyone keep their heads up." The pregame soundtrack is all calm, though, classical piano by Beethoven and Mozart. Gabriela Bendeck-Giron adds backcourt depth after playing in ten games last season.

The return of fifth-year guard Keyarah Berry will allow Fields that freedom to lead as well. Coach Blue has hailed Berry's comeback as a "game-changer for our program," citing her all-conference talent and role as a "culture kid." Berry is coming off a standout 2024-25 campaign where she averaged 12.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. She made history by becoming the first Owl to earn a Conference USA weekly honor and sealed her legacy with a 24-point performance in the conference tournament to help KSU secure its first-ever CUSA tournament win.

Latazia Williamson and Mame Kane will give Kennesaw State a twin-towers look in the starting five. With freshmen like TaTianna Stovall and Madyson Elliott adding youthful spark, and veterans like Gabriela Bendeck-Giron providing steady guard minutes, the Owls have the pieces to crash a tournament party or two.

5wins Crystal Ball Call: Shania Nichols shreds some nets (10 points per game) and is downright defensive (50 steals) about it. Kaelyn Flowers snatched 24 steals last season as a freshman and will strike fear in opponents come February. These two keep the frontcourt out of foul trouble and everyone happy with transition buckets. Kennesaw St. wins multiple postseason tournament games as an underdog as a result.