NEW ORLEANS –
Trelanne Powell and the New Orleans Privateers women's basketball program have announced the rest of the signing class ahead of the 2025-26 season which will tip off in November.
Coach Powell, entering her third season on the Lakefront, signed two freshmen guards in the fall in Mikayla Johnson and Mariah Hart. More about their signings can be found
here.
The Privateers will have six newcomers: two Division I transfers, one NAIA transfer and three JUCO transfers.
Jayla Owen (North Dakota) and Hailee Brennen (Charleston Southern) both have prior experience at Div. I programs. Owen played 59 games in two seasons at North Dakota and scored a career-high 14 points against UMKC in March 2025. She was All-American Honorable Mention in her prior stop at Western Nebraska JC after averaging 12.3 points and 4.1 assists per game.
Brennen was a McDonald's All-American nominee in 2022. She started her collegiate career at Daytona State JC and shot 45 percent from the field. At Florida A&M, Brennen debuted with 13 points against Tennessee. She started 13 games in 2023-24 with the Rattlers before transferring to Charleston Southern.
Lauren Banks also joins the Privateers after having played at Xavier (La.) and three seasons prior at St. Augustine. Banks was Second Team All-Conference in 2024-25 with 12.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. At. St. Augustine, Banks made the all-rookie team as a freshman and the all-conference team as a sophomore.
Sharon Smith, Trinity Bane and Logan Johnson all come from the junior college ranks to the Lakefront.
Smith ranked in the top five in total assists last season at Schoolcraft College and averaged 13.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. She was named Great Lakes District Championship MVP. At Saginaw High School, Smith surpassed 1,000 career points and earned All-Saginaw Valley League honors.
Bane played 30 games at her prior stop in Hill College. She averaged 8.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game with a season-high 20 points against Grayson College. At Pharr San Juan Alamo North, Bane was Area Defensive Player of the Year and she averaged a double-double (18 points and 10 rebounds per game) in high school.
Johnson was part of a Dodge City JC squad that went to the JUCO National Tournament. Prior to that, she played 32 games at Colby JC. At Mayde Creek High School, Johnson was District MVP in her senior season, a two-time all-district selection and two-time academic all-state honorable mention.
COACH POWELL ON NEWCOMERS
TRINITY BANE:
Dynamic Stretch 4 that can knock down the 3. Likely to be very impactful transitioning in. Plays both sides of the ball very intensely.
JAYLA OWEN:
Shooter that could be considered a combo guard in the way that she can get her teammates involved. She just has a feel for the game. Coming to us with an established great work ethic.
SHARON SMITH:
Crafty scoring point guard and facilitator. Very heady and has good anticipation. She is as steady and poised defensively as she is with the ball in her hands. Also a tough rebounding guard.
LAUREN BANKS:
She is a winner! Versatile and experienced big guard. Physical on both ends and just has a nose for rebounding. Great work ethic.
HAILEE BRENNEN:
Has a strong back to the basket presence but can also face up for the jumper with range. She is another veteran player that will also impact this team heavily with her leadership abilities.
LOGAN JOHNSON:
Blue collar post. Great foundation & background in basketball. Father is former NBA player, Lorenzo Johnson. Finishes strong at the rim with both hands. Goes hard after every single rebound.
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