CHARLOTTE, NC (October 7, 2025) – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the nation's oldest historically Black athletic conference, tipped off the 2025–26 basketball season at its annual Media Day in Baltimore, MD, held at the Under Armour Headquarters unveiling the Predicted Orders of Finish and Preseason All-CIAA Teams for men's and women's basketball. 
 
Johnson C. Smith University women's team were picked 11^th for the preseason, while the men's team were picked 6^th.
Keyshonna Brown and Jamauri Bryant were selected to the Preseason teams.
 
Women's Predicted Order of Finish: 
1. Fayetteville State 
2. Virginia State 
3. Bowie State 
4. Virginia Union 
5. Claflin 
6. Livingstone 
7. Winston-Salem State 
8. Shaw 
9. Lincoln (PA) 
10. Elizabeth City State 
11. Johnson C. Smith 
12. Bluefield State 
 
Women's Preseason All-CIAA Team: 
Jasmine Jenkins (Bluefield State)
Talia Trotter (Fayetteville State)
KaNyah O'Neal (Fayetteville State)
Mia Smith (Bowie State)
Nyah Wilkins (Fayetteville State)
Ashari Lewis (Claflin)
D'Ayzha Akinson (Shaw)
Mahogany Collins (Shaw
Kyshonna Brown (Johnson C. Smith)
Jakaiya Mack (Winston-Salem State)
 
 
Men's Predicted Order of Finish: 
1. Virginia State 
2. Claflin 
3. Fayetteville State 
4. Virginia Union 
5. Lincoln (PA) 
6. Johnson C. Smith 
7. Shaw 
8. Bluefield State 
9. Bowie State 
10. Livingstone 
11. Elizabeth City State 
12. Winston-Salem State 
 
Men's Preseason All-CIAA Team: 
 
Amare Wimbush (Virginia State)
Larry Howell (Fayetteville State)
Jacob Cooper (Virginia State)
Xavier Tubbs-Matthews (Claflin)
Ezekiel Cannedy (Fayetteville State). 
Avery Huggins (Shaw) 
Bobby Gardner (Virginia Union) 
James Nipper (Livingstone)
Jamauri Bryant (Johnson C. Smith)
Jaquantae Harris (Elizabeth City State)
 
General Admission tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Food Lion CIAA Men's and Women's Basketball Championship Tournament taking place February 24–28, 2026 at the CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, MD.  All single session, packages and group tickets are available NOW.  First come, first served tickets are available HERE.    
 
The 2025–2026 season is expected to showcase a balance of experience and new talent throughout the CIAA. Every program has pieces in place to contend, ensuring a competitive path to the 2026 Food Lion CIAA Men's & Women's Basketball Tournament. This year's tournament will once again be held in Baltimore, Maryland, continuing a celebrated partnership with Visit Baltimore.