STATESBORO - Georgia Southern Head Women's Basketball Coach Anita Howard has rounded out her 2021-22 recruiting class by adding a pair of transfers to play for the Eagles this upcoming season.

The two new Eagles are Wake Forest grad transfer Maya Banks (6-4, F, Plano, Texas) and Penn State sophomore transfer Constance Thomas (5-8, G, Plant City, Fla.)

The pair of new Eagles join the four newcomers previously introduced in April, bringing the total amount of newcomers to Georgia Southern to six. These will join the nine returners from last season's squad for the upcoming 2021-22 season.

"We're excited about our 2021 class," Head Coach Howard said. "Being the fourth youngest team in the country last year, we had to grow up quickly.  We wanted to bring in some experienced players to compliment our returners. We LOVE defense, and this class has some excellent defenders! As always, we want to play fast and our pace of play will continue to thrive with our new additions I WOULD NOT miss this season, Eagle Nation!"

Read about the two new signees below!
 

Maya Banks
6-4 • Forward
Plano, Texas
Wake Forest / Hamilton HS (Ariz.)

Member of the Demon Deacons for four seasons, playing in 78 career games ... Averaged 2.5 points and 2.3 rebounds per game over her career ... Played in 20 games as a freshman in 2017-18, averaging five minutes a game ... Averaged 4.4 ppg and 13.7 minutes per game as a sophomore in 2018-19, scoring a career-high 13 points with five rebounds in the ACC Tournament against Virginia Tech ... Played in 27 games as a junior in 2019-20, averaging 1.6 ppg and 6.6 minutes per game ... Did not play in her senior season due to an injury ... Played high school ball at Hamilton HS in Chandler, Ariz. ... Earned All-Chandler Unified School District (CUSD), Second Team All-State and an All-Section Honorable Mention honors ... Helped Hamilton to the state championship and earned Finals MVP for her performance in the championship game ... Received her bachelor's degree from Wake Forest in 2021 and will be pursuing her master's degree in professional communication and leadership at Georgia Southern.

Coach Howard: "We're excited to have Big Banks join Eagle Nation! As a grad transfer, Maya will not only bring size, but experience as well.  Having a veteran come who can help strengthen our defensive presence and rebounding prowess in the Sun Belt will be an asset!  She also has a nice mid range jumper to stretch the defense."
Constance Thomas
5-8 • Guard
Plant City, Fla.
Penn State / Camp Jewell House Academy (Ga.)

Nickname is "CeCe" ... Played in seven games for the Nittany Lions as a freshman, averaging 1.7 points, 1.0 rebounds and 6.7 minutes per game ... Scored a season-high six points in 17 minutes of action in Penn State's 87-54 win over St. Francis on November 30 ... Tallied career marks of 1,345 points, 300 rebounds, 250 assists, 230 steals and 20 blocks in her 81 career games at Camp Jewell House Academy ... Helped lead the Panthers to a District Championship in her senior year and a pair of District Runner-Up finishes as a sophomore and junior ... Two-time first team All-Region honoree and three-time Team MVP ... Scored school-record 54 points in a single game during her senior year.

Coach Howard: "Constance is a steal for Eagle Nation!  She is a tough and gritty player who has the ability to compHEAT at a high level.  She is a selfless player who loves to get her teammates involved and can score at will. She will add to our defensive efforts and certainly be one to watch!"