PHILADELPHIA — Temple Women's Basketball Head Coach Diane Richardson announced that Alabama A&M guard Kaylah Turner has signed with Temple University ahead of the 2024-25 season. The rising sophomore is the reigning Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC) Freshman of the Year.
"Kaylah has proven that she is an all-conference caliber player as she stepped into a starting role as a freshman," Richardson said. "Her ability to create space and get her shot off is extraordinary."
During her first year of collegiate basketball at Alabama A&M, Turner averaged 11.2 points. 2.4 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game. She started in 29 of 31 games played as a freshman, averaging 31.6 minutes per game.
Turner scored in double figures 18 times this season and set a career-high at Auburn, scoring 21 points. She scored 20 or more points in three different games last season. The Orange Park, Florida native also hauled in a career-high eight rebounds in games against Alabama State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
In March, Turner was selected as the selected Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Women's Basketball Freshman of the Year, the conference announced during its awards ceremony at Bartow Arena.
Turner had a breakout season during his freshman campaign, averaging 33.1 minutes, 11.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.7 steals in 30 games this season. The Orange Park, Fla. native posted double figures in scoring 18 times, including a career-high 21 points at Auburn on Nov. 26. She also pulled down a career-best eight rebounds twice (at Alabama State and vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff).
Florida A&M's Ahriahna Grizzle was selected the SWAC's Player of the Year, while Jackson State's Angel Jackson was named the SWAC's Defensive Player of the Year. Ryann Payne, of Prairie View A&M, earned newcomer of the year honors and Jackson State's Tomekia Reed was named the SWAC Coach of the Year after leading the Tigers to a perfect 18-0 mark in conference play.