GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's basketball team and head coach Trina Patterson have announced the 2026-27 freshmen class, featuring six new additions to the roster.
"I am super excited about the addition of six freshmen to our roster," said Patterson. "These young women are exceptional scorers, rebounders, decision makers, competitors, defenders and winners. They are high character student-athletes, who are great fits for our culture."
Tiarna Chambers-Desmond
Hometown: Derby, U.K.
High School: Nottingham Academy
Position: Forward
Highlights
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- North Conference MVP for Women's Elite Academy Basketball League (WEABL)
- Two-time WEABL Player of the Week
- WEABL Overall First Team
From Coach Patterson: "I am ecstatic to add Tiarna to our roster. Tiarna is an athletic forward with versatility to score in multiple ways. She has the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. She is a high energy player with an extremely high ceiling."
Kyla Cantey
Hometown: Woodstock, Ga.
High School: River Ridge
Position: Guard
Highlights
- Two-time state champion
- Two-time Final Four
- State champion MVP in 2025
- Three regional titles
- Two-time All-Region Team
- 2026 All-State Team
- 2026 River Ridge High School Athlete of the Year
- 2026 Atlanta Tipoff Club All-Metro Honorable Mention
- Lamp of Knowledge Academic Award
From Coach Patterson: "I am thrilled to add Kyla Cantey to our roster. I had the opportunity to watch Kyla for over a year. She is a high scoring combo guard, who makes great decisions and is extremely competitive. She is a winner and a fierce competitor."
Rose Simpson
Hometown: New York City, N.Y.
High School: Brandeis
Position: Guard
Highlights
- 1,500+ career points
- Jordan Brand "The One" 1v1 Champion
- Second leading scorer in PSAL (374 points for the season; 31 ppg)
From Coach Patterson: "I am highly enthusiastic to add Rose to our roster. Rose is a prolific offensive scorer with a unique offensive skill set. She is an exceptional three-point shooter, rim finisher and leader. Her basketball IQ and competitiveness will allow for immediate game impact."
Laneigh Scales
Hometown: Winston-Salem, N.C.
High School: Glenn
Position: Forward
Highlights
- Northwest Piedmont 1A First Team All-Conference
- NCBCA Third Team All-District
- Winston-Salem Journal All-Area Team
- Carver High School Women's Basketball MVP
- Piedmont Triad 5A/6A First Team All-Conference
- Piedmont Triad 5A/6A Defensive Player of the Year
- NCBCA Second Team All-District
- Winston-Salem Journal All-Area Team
- NCBCA Carolinas Classic Shrine Game selection
- NCCA East vs. West All-Star Game selection
- Glenn High School Women's Basketball MVP
From Coach Patterson: "I am overjoyed to add Laneigh to our roster. Laneigh is an explosive athletic forward with a versatile skill set. She is an exceptional rebounder, disruptive defender and three level scorer."
Marina Kusanovic
Hometown: Zagreb, Croatia
High School: First Private Grammar School
Position: Guard
Highlights
- U19 Women's Basketball Team
- Third leading scorer of regional league
- Team finished fourth in National Championship in 2025-26
- Team finished second in National Championships in 2024-25
- Competed with the Premier Women's Basketball League
- Jr. NBA Championship participant
- Fourth on WABA Inter-Regional Championship
From Coach Patterson: "I am excited to add Marina to our roster. Marina is a big guard with an excellent decision-making skillset as she has a high IQ. Her versatility will impact the game with her ability to lead the offense, rebound and defend as she is a strong on-ball defender."
Sydney Murphy
Hometown: Frisco, Texas
High School: Memorial
Position: Guard
Highlights
- Two-time 5A Division 2 state semi-finalist
- Two-time All-Academic Team
- First Team All-District
- Defensive Player of the Year
- Freshman year – honorable
- TABC All-State Team
- McDonald's All-American Team nominee
From Coach Patterson: "I am elated to add Sydney to our roster. I have been watching Sydney play since the 7th grade. She is a fast, athletic guard with a high IQ and plays with pace. She is a relentless defender and has resiliency in her character."
