University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Imani Daniel Awarded Preseason All-Sun Belt Accolade
10/19/2026 11:20:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Earns recognition after leading SBC freshmen in conference scoring average last season
LAFAYETTE – Imani Daniel represented the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Women's Basketball team on the 2026-27 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference team, the honor announced by the conference office on Monday.
Daniel, the highest scoring freshman in SBC play by average (12.7 ppg) last season, was a second team selection.
The preseason all-conference team and preseason poll were voted upon by the Sun Belt's 14 head coaches.
The first chance for fans to see Daniel and the 2026-27 edition of the Ragin' Cajuns occurs in exhibition games on October 22 vs. LSU Alexandria and October 29 vs. Mississippi Christian at the Cajundome.
Daniel produced over 300 total points and led Louisiana in rebounding (170) during her collegiate rookie season in 2025-26.
She finished as the Sun Belt's top scoring freshman by average in conference play at 12.7 points per game (190 total) on 45 percent shooting (78-of-173) and ranked Top 20 in scoring and Top 15 in rebounding (6.2) in SBC play.
The John Curtis Christian product registered double digits in points 16 times and was one of only three SBC freshmen – joining teammate Amijah Price – to score 300-plus points last season. Daniel was the Ragin' Cajuns leading force inside, all 136 of her field goals made from within the arc.
The 2026-27 season marks the 15th season for Louisiana under the guidance of head coach Garry Brodhead. The regular season tips off at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3 at the Cajundome against Xavier (La.).
The non-conference lineup is highlighted by a trip to Texas A&M during the opening week of the season and seven contests against in-state foes including the return of McNeese and Tulane to the schedule.
Louisiana opens Sun Belt Conference play on December 16 traveling to Ruston to meet returning SBC member Louisiana Tech. The SBC home opener is set for December 19 vs. Coastal Carolina, jumpstarting a stretch where the Ragin' Cajuns enjoy the comforts of the Cajundome for seven of the next nine contests.
The Sun Belt Conference Championship tournament returns to the Pensacola Bay Center in Pensacola, Florida from March 2-8.
2026-27 Sun Belt Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Awards
Preseason Player of the Year
Crislyn Rose, Arkansas State [4th | G | Sachse, Texas]
Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team
Tessa Grady, Coastal Carolina [R-Jr. | F | Dublin, Ohio]
Jordan Marshall, Louisiana Tech [3rd | F | Little Rock, Ark.]
Daisia Mitchell, App State [Sr. | G | Riverside, Calif.]
Bree Robinson, James Madison [4th | G | Mississauga, Ontario]
Crislyn Rose, Arkansas State [4th | G | Sachse, Texas]
Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team
Imani Daniel, Louisiana [So. | F | Gramercy, La.]
Aniya Hubbard, Troy [5th | G | Hoover, Ala.]
Olivia Olson, Marshall [So. | G | New Smyrna Beach, Fla.]
Zakiya Stephenson, James Madison [4th | G | Virginia Beach, Va.]
Joi Williams, App State [Sr. | G | Leesburg, Va.]
Preseason All-Sun Belt Third Team
Kayla Cleaveland, Georgia Southern [2nd | F | Woodstock, Ga.]
Grace McDonough, James Madison [2nd | F | Harleysville, Pa.]
Chrysta Narcisse, Southern Miss [R-Jr. | G | Lafayette, La.]
Riley Stack, Old Dominion [4th | F | Piedmont, S.C.]
Alexia Weaver, Louisiana Tech [4th | G | Louisville, Ky.]
Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. James Madison – 189 (11)
2. Troy – 166
3. Arkansas State – 165 (1)
4. Marshall – 151 (1)
5. Louisiana Tech – 148 (1)
6. Old Dominion – 106
T7. Coastal Carolina – 99
T7. Southern Miss – 99
9. App State – 79
10. ULM – 77
11. Georgia Southern – 62
12. South Alabama – 61
13. Louisiana – 42
14. Georgia State – 26
*Parentheses indicate first-place votes
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsWBB), Facebook (/RaginCajunsWBB) or Instagram (@RaginCajunsWBB) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Women's Basketball.
Fans are also encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
Fans can support the women's basketball student athletes, and invest in the program's future, through The Cajuns Edge Fund (click here) to contribute directly to the Louisiana Athletics and Ragin' Cajuns Athletic Foundation's revenue-sharing initiative or by joining the Assist Club (click here).
Daniel, the highest scoring freshman in SBC play by average (12.7 ppg) last season, was a second team selection.
The preseason all-conference team and preseason poll were voted upon by the Sun Belt's 14 head coaches.
The first chance for fans to see Daniel and the 2026-27 edition of the Ragin' Cajuns occurs in exhibition games on October 22 vs. LSU Alexandria and October 29 vs. Mississippi Christian at the Cajundome.
Daniel produced over 300 total points and led Louisiana in rebounding (170) during her collegiate rookie season in 2025-26.
She finished as the Sun Belt's top scoring freshman by average in conference play at 12.7 points per game (190 total) on 45 percent shooting (78-of-173) and ranked Top 20 in scoring and Top 15 in rebounding (6.2) in SBC play.
The John Curtis Christian product registered double digits in points 16 times and was one of only three SBC freshmen – joining teammate Amijah Price – to score 300-plus points last season. Daniel was the Ragin' Cajuns leading force inside, all 136 of her field goals made from within the arc.
The 2026-27 season marks the 15th season for Louisiana under the guidance of head coach Garry Brodhead. The regular season tips off at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3 at the Cajundome against Xavier (La.).
The non-conference lineup is highlighted by a trip to Texas A&M during the opening week of the season and seven contests against in-state foes including the return of McNeese and Tulane to the schedule.
Louisiana opens Sun Belt Conference play on December 16 traveling to Ruston to meet returning SBC member Louisiana Tech. The SBC home opener is set for December 19 vs. Coastal Carolina, jumpstarting a stretch where the Ragin' Cajuns enjoy the comforts of the Cajundome for seven of the next nine contests.
The Sun Belt Conference Championship tournament returns to the Pensacola Bay Center in Pensacola, Florida from March 2-8.
2026-27 Sun Belt Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Awards
Preseason Player of the Year
Crislyn Rose, Arkansas State [4th | G | Sachse, Texas]
Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team
Tessa Grady, Coastal Carolina [R-Jr. | F | Dublin, Ohio]
Jordan Marshall, Louisiana Tech [3rd | F | Little Rock, Ark.]
Daisia Mitchell, App State [Sr. | G | Riverside, Calif.]
Bree Robinson, James Madison [4th | G | Mississauga, Ontario]
Crislyn Rose, Arkansas State [4th | G | Sachse, Texas]
Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team
Imani Daniel, Louisiana [So. | F | Gramercy, La.]
Aniya Hubbard, Troy [5th | G | Hoover, Ala.]
Olivia Olson, Marshall [So. | G | New Smyrna Beach, Fla.]
Zakiya Stephenson, James Madison [4th | G | Virginia Beach, Va.]
Joi Williams, App State [Sr. | G | Leesburg, Va.]
Preseason All-Sun Belt Third Team
Kayla Cleaveland, Georgia Southern [2nd | F | Woodstock, Ga.]
Grace McDonough, James Madison [2nd | F | Harleysville, Pa.]
Chrysta Narcisse, Southern Miss [R-Jr. | G | Lafayette, La.]
Riley Stack, Old Dominion [4th | F | Piedmont, S.C.]
Alexia Weaver, Louisiana Tech [4th | G | Louisville, Ky.]
Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. James Madison – 189 (11)
2. Troy – 166
3. Arkansas State – 165 (1)
4. Marshall – 151 (1)
5. Louisiana Tech – 148 (1)
6. Old Dominion – 106
T7. Coastal Carolina – 99
T7. Southern Miss – 99
9. App State – 79
10. ULM – 77
11. Georgia Southern – 62
12. South Alabama – 61
13. Louisiana – 42
14. Georgia State – 26
*Parentheses indicate first-place votes
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsWBB), Facebook (/RaginCajunsWBB) or Instagram (@RaginCajunsWBB) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Women's Basketball.
Fans are also encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
Fans can support the women's basketball student athletes, and invest in the program's future, through The Cajuns Edge Fund (click here) to contribute directly to the Louisiana Athletics and Ragin' Cajuns Athletic Foundation's revenue-sharing initiative or by joining the Assist Club (click here).
- www.RaginCajuns.com -
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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