Bears Announce Seven Additions To 2026-27 Roster

MACON – Mercer women's basketball head coach Michelle Clark-Heard put the finishing touches on her 2026-27 roster on Thursday morning when she announced seven additions to her already impressive crop of signees.

Tennessee prep standout Kaylen Kenney, as well as Canadian phenom Avani Tella, will join five transfers in making up the newest group of additions for the Orange & Black. The list of transfers include Ada Anamekwe (Brown), Julianna Dada (Clarendon College), Kimora Jenkins (Arizona Western CC), Rachel Shropshire (Bellarmine) and Jah'Naesia Spiers (Memphis).

Anamekwe (6-0, Forward) played in 70 games (49 starts) across three seasons at Brown while averaging 6.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.0 assists per game for the Bears. She shot nearly 45 percent from the field across her three seasons in Providence, R.I., while also notching 13 double-digit scoring efforts including a 16-point, 14-rebound double-double against Harvard as a sophomore.

"Ada brings valuable experience and depth to our talented young posts coming in," Clark-Heard said. "Her experience playing in the Ivy League for Brown University will make an immediate impact on and off the court for our program."

Dada (5-7, Guard) played a pivotal role in pacing Clarendon College to 33 victories and an NJCAA Final 4 appearance in 2025-26, averaging 6.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.0 assists in 17.4 minutes per game for the Bulldogs. She connected on 37.6 percent of her field goal attempts, including a 35.3 percent clip from 3-point territory, and canned 77.8 percent of her free throw attempts as well. The Dallas, Texas, native also played in 26 games during her freshman campaign at Collin College in Texas.

"Julianna will be a tremendous addition to our program on and off the court," Clark-Heard said. "Her ability to shoot, defend, and compete at a high level, combined with her experience, will play an important role in the continued growth of our team."

Jenkins (5-5, Guard) treks to Middle Georgia with a region championship already under her belt after playing a pivotal role in Arizona Western College's run to a NJCAA D1 National Tournament appearance. The Omaha, Neb., product averaged 10.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 steals as a freshman, while also shooting 36.7 percent from the field and 89.6 percent from the free throw line.

"Kimora is a versatile point guard with a winning mentality that can play multiple positions," Clark-Heard said. "A point guard with her skillset brings great value to our program. We are excited to welcome her to the Mercer family and look forward to watching her grow."

Kenney (6-0, Forward) made quite the impact in one season at Ezell-Harding Christian School in Antioch, Tenn., where she raked in newcomer of the year honors, as well as a host of other postseason awards, after averaging 13.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game as a senior, while also shooting 33.3 percent from outside the arc. She led the Eagles to a 32-3 clip, including a season-opening 29-game win streak.

"Kaylen is a physical post player who can also stretch the floor with her 3-point shooting ability," Clark-Heard said. "Her energy, effort and competitiveness will be a great asset to our team."

After registering a phenomenal career on the Kentucky prep circuit, Shropshire (6-3, Forward) played in 32 games (12 starts) across two seasons at Bellarmine where she shot nearly 32 percent from 3-point territory, as well as 70 percent from the free throw line. The Frankfort, Ky., native raked in a slew of awards as a prep standout at Franklin County High School, including all-state recognition following a senior season that saw her average 9.5 points and 4.1 rebounds an outing.

"Rachel brings both size and skill to the forward position," Clark-Heard said. "Her ability to shoot the three and play inside-out will help stretch the floor offensively. We are excited to continue helping her develop her game within our program."

Spiers (6-0, Guard) was a prep standout at Southwest DeKalb High School in Atlanta where she hauled in both region offensive player and all-around player of the year accolades as a junior after recording 14.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.2 steals per game in pacing Panthers to 22 victories and an appearance in the Sweet 16 of the state tournament. She played in 28 games for Memphis last season.

"We are thrilled to welcome Nae Nae back home to Georgia," Clark-Heard said. "Her size and versatility at the guard spot will be an immediate impact to the program as she will be a huge contributor on both sides of the ball."

Tella (5-8, Guard), a standout on the Canadian prep circuit, helped pace Capital Courts Academy to an unblemished record as a junior amid a run to the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association championship. She was named to the preseason watch list for the All Canadian Games prior to her senior campaign.

"We are excited for Avani to bring her winning mentality to Macon. We can't wait to continue to watch her grow and develop in our program."

Bears Announce Seven Additions To 2026-27 Roster

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