BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | Alabama A&M University guard Kalia Walker was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Women's Basketball Player of the Year, the conference announced during the league's Media Day at the Embassy Suites Hotel on Tuesday.

Walker also earned All-SWAC Preseason First Team honors, while forward/center Jaida Belton was selected to the second team.
 
Walker, a First Team All-SWAC selection a year ago, averaged a team-best 14.6 points and 2.7 rebounds. She surpassed the 1,000-point plateau toward the end of the regular season and shot 37.9 percent from the field and 81.4 percent from the free-throw line. The Alexander, Ark. native registered a career-high 30 points in a non-conference win at North Alabama last season.
 
Belton, who comes to Alabama A&M from Texas Southern, averaged 6.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and nearly 1.0 blocks per game last season. She registered 10 double-digit scoring performances, including a season-high 21 points versus Prairie View A&M. In addition, she had seven double-digit rebounding games, highlighted by a 14-board night against East Texas A&M. Belton also recorded six double-double games (points and rebounds).
 
Bethune-Cookman's Daimoni Dorsey was tabbed the SWAC's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
 
Joining Walker and Dorsey on the All-SWAC Preseason First Team was Jackson State's Leianya Massenat, Alcorn State's Nakia Cheatham and Kiarra Henderson.
 
Belton is joined on the second team by Kaitlyn Bryant, of Alabama State, Jaileyah Cotton, of Jackson State, Douthshine Prien, of Grambling State, and Janessa Kelley, of Bethune-Cookman.
 
Alabama A&M begins the season with an exhibition game, playing host to UAH in the return of the Mayor's Cup. The regular tips off with back-to-back home games, starting on Nov. 5 against Talladega. For the second consecutive season, AAMU will welcome an SEC opponent to the Event Center as Ole Miss comes to The Hill on Nov. 7.
 
Season Tickets are currently on sale and fans can purchase tickets by visiting aamusports.com or call the AAMU Ticket Office at: (256) 372-7255 or (256) 372-7254.
 
2025-26 SWAC Women's Basketball Preseason Awards
 
Player of the Year
Kaila Walker, Alabama A&M
 
Defensive Player of the Year
Daimoni Dorsey, Bethune-Cookman 
 
All-SWAC First Team
Kalia Walker, Alabama A&M 
Leianya Massenat, Jackson State 
Nakia Cheatham, Alcorn State 
Daimoni Dorsey, Bethune-Cookman 
Kiarra Henderson, Alcorn State
 
All-SWAC Second Team
Kaitlyn Bryant, Alabama State 
Jaileyah Cotton, Jackson State
Douthshine Prien, Grambling State 
Janessa Kelley, Bethune-Cookman
Jaida Belton, Alabama A&M
 
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