MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama women's basketball team has added another individual with experience at the collegiate level for the 2021-22 season with the announcement Tuesday by head coach Terry Fowler that Jaylin Powell has signed a grant-in-aid.

A graduate transfer from Elon, Powell has one year of eligibility left.

"I really like Jaylin, she has a quick release and can shoot the three — she shot 40 percent from three in conference play — and also has the ability to rebound the basketball and push it out to start the fast break," said Fowler.  "It's difficult for teams to defend when a post player is leading the break, that causes match-up problems in transition.  I've seen her shot fake and get to the spot where she wants to get her shots from.  I'm just excited about Jaylin's versatility."

In 106 appearances for the Phoenix, Powell totaled 713 points, 310 rebounds and 86 assists, connecting on 112 three-point field goals while shooting 35.4 percent from beyond the arc.  Last year the 5-foot-10 forward from Raleigh, N.C., averaged 7.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per contest, leading the team with 22 three-pointers as she scored 10 or more points on four occasions highlighted by a season-best 18 against Delaware the final weekend of January.

As a junior, Powell ranked third on the team with 8.8 points per outing, leading the squad with 40 three-point field goals while also averaging 3.5 rebounds per game and handing out 31 assists, posting a career-high 21 points at William & Mary.  She set a school season record — and led the Colonial Athletic Association as well — after connecting on 43.8 percent from three-point range the previous year, when she posted averages of 7.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per contest.

In her first season at the collegiate level, Powell averaged four points and 1.9 boards per outing as the Phoenix finished 25-8 overall after winning the CAA tournament title and appearing in the NCAA Tournament.  She was selected the league's Rookie of the Week on Feb. 12 after recording a season-best 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting — including going 2-of-3 from long range — in a victory over Charleston.

Powell was voted all-Greater Neuse River Conference each of her four years at Rolesville High, adding all-district accolades from the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association when she was a senior.  She was named the team's most valuable player on three occasions during her prep career, and following the conclusion of her final season at the high school level Powell was selected to play in the state's East/West All-Star Game.

Powell is the eighth newcomer set to come to the program next season, joining a group that includes Cincinnati transfer Destiny Haymer (Tchula, Miss.) as well as incoming freshmen Emani Burks (Melbourne, Fla.), Trinity Garrett (Spring Branch, Texas), Nadia Howard (Grayson, Ga.), Deborah Reese (Fort Pierce, Fla.), Jordan Rosier (Tallahassee, Fla.) and Ty Williams (New Orleans, La.).

South finished 13-13 last year, the fourth season in a row that it has posted an overall record of.500 or better.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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