MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama women's basketball head coach Terry Fowler announced Thursday the signing of Damaya Telemaque (Houston, Texas), Jala Buster (Cypress, Texas), [pronounced Ma-hag-ah-NEE] Mahogany Vaught (Olive Branch, Miss.) and Nissa Sam-Grant (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) to National Letters-of-Intent and will join the Jaguar women's roster during the 2018-19 season.
"I am really excited about this group of young ladies," Fowler said. "They fit all of our needs and are great, versatile players who have length. They have been a joy to get to know during the recruiting process and I am excited to have them join the Jaguar family,"
Damaya Telemaque
5-7 – Guard
Summer Creek High School (Bulldogs)
Cypress, Texas
Telemaque (pronounced tell-ah-mac) signs with South Alabama after lettering all four years at Summer Creek High School in Houston, Texas.
"Damaya is a tough, hard-nosed energy raising player," said Fowler. "She'll sit and defend the basketball. She is aggressive on the offensive end of the floor."
Telemaque was the first freshman to play and start on the varsity squad at Summer Creek. During her career with the Bulldogs, Telemaque was a two-time district MVP, offensive player of the year during the 2015-16 campaign, and was defensive player of the year and first-team all-district during her junior season. According to Digital Scout, she averaged 10.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.2 steals per game during her junior season.
Telemaque also led Summer Creek to a trio of state playoff appearances.
The Houston native played AAU basketball for Texas Elite Phenoms in Houston, Texas, under head coach DJ Johnson for two years.
"She's a great kid who loves to be in the gym and she has been the hardest working and most competitive player I've coached," Telemaque's AAU head coach Johnson said. "She's a true student of game who wants to get better every day."
Telemaque offers from several different schools including Wichita State, Northern Colorado, UTEP, UT-San Antonio, Tulane and Sun Belt foe Little Rock.
Jala Buster
5-10 – Guard
Cypress Ranch (Mustangs)
Houston, Texas
Buster signs with the Jaguars after lettering at Cypress Ranch in Cypress, Texas, for head coach Tresa Martin Hornsby, wo was named 2016-17 17-6A District co-coach of the year. Over her high school career, she has earned a pair of varsity letters.
"Jala plays hard and is versatile," said Fowler. "She can play the two, three or the four positions on the court and plays great on both ends of the floor."
According to MaxPreps, Buster played in 37 games during the 2016-17 season and averaged 10.8 points, 3.6 boards and 1.6 steals per contest and was named to the Texas 17-6A District first-team.
Buster helped lead the Mustangs to a district and regional championship, as well as a run to the state finals during her junior season.
Outside of high school basketball, Buster has played with the Texas Elite GATA team for four years as a guard.
Buster received multiple offers, but ultimately chose to land at South Alabama over Long Beach State, Florida Gulf Coast, George Mason, New Orleans, UTEP and North Texas.
Mahogany Vaught
5-7 – Guard
Olive Branch High School (Conquistadors)
Olive Branch, Miss.
Vaught signs the Jaguars after playing for four years at Olive Branch High School under second-year head coach Jason Thompson.
"Mahogany is a versatile, combo guard who can defend," said Fowler. "She has improved her outside shooting during her career. She is also very athletic and can get to the basket and finish."
Vaught led the Lady Conquistadors to a 33-1 record during her junior year en route to a Mississippi Girls Class 6A championship defeating Starkville, 57-54. It was the school's first state girls' basketball championship. Vaught was named the Most Valuable Player during the tournament after scoring 14 points, bringing down four boards, and recording two assists and a steal in the championship game.
According to MaxPreps, Vaught averaged 13.1 points, 4.7 assists, 4.3 steals, and 2.8 rebounds per outing during the 2016-17 season.
She was named to the Clarion-Ledger 2016-17 Girls Basketball Dandy Dozen squad. She was also named to the preseason list for the second-year season earlier this month.
Southern Mississippi, California State-Bakersfield and fellow Sun Belt members Arkansas State and Little Rock also extended offers to Vaught during the process.
Nissa Sam-Grant
6-4 – Center
Wheeler High School [Ga.] (Wildcats)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Sam-Grant sign with South Alabama after lettering at Wheeler High School in Marietta, Ga.
"Nissa has great size and is ready to come in and play on the defensive end of the floor," said Fowler. "She has a good jump hook with either hand. She is a rim protector and with us losing Chyna [Ellis], we hope to fill that void next season with Nissa."
Sam-Grant was named second-team all-region after the 2016-17 season.
Outside of basketball, Grant also participated in track & field during her high school career
Sam-Grant had multiple offers from other schools, but chose the Jags over UTEP, Jacksonville, Alabama State and Sun Belt foe Georgia Southern.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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