FARMVILLE, Va. — Longwood women's basketball head coach Erika Lang-Montgomery announced the addition of five transfers for the 2026-27 season on Wednesday.
Set to join the Lancers next season are Nal'La Bennett, Lyric Green, Shakira Gresham, McKayla Hosley, Idaysia Mercer.
"We are thrilled to welcome Lyric, Nal'La, McKayala, Shakira, and Idaysia to our Longwood women's basketball family. This talented group of student-athletes brings a tremendous combination of competitiveness, athleticism and versatility that will make an immediate impact on our program. We are excited for them to get to campus and get acclimated into our culture."
Nal'La Bennett
5-6 | G
Sicklerville, N.J.
Friends' Central School/Stony Brook
Bennett comes to Longwood after playing the 2025-26 season at Stony Brook in the Coastal Athletic Association. In 30 games and one start with the Seawolves she averaged 3.4 points, 0.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game for a team that finished 18-15 overall and 12-6 in the league, advancing to the CAA semifinals.
At Friends Central School, Bennett was a four-year letterwinner and two-year captain. She earned two first-team all-conference selections and scored over 1,000 career points. Averaging 13 points per game, Bennett broke the school record for most 3-pointers in a game with 11 total.
"Nal'La is an explosive and confident player who brings great athleticism, toughness and a competitive edge to our program," Lang-Montgomery. "She has the ability to impact the game in a variety of ways and plays with a fearless mentality that fits perfectly with how we want to compete. We believe she has the potential to make a significant impact as we continue to build a championship program at Longwood."
Why I chose Longwood: "Because of how everyone made me feel welcomed and it felt like such a family environment. Everything seemed to down to earth."
Laterria Green
6-1 | F
Eastman, Ga.
Dodge County/Central Georgia Tech
Green played last season at Central Georgia Technical College in Warner Robins, Ga., helping the Titans win the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association championship and advance to the NJCAA Division I national tournament, finishing with a 21-8 record. Green averaged 18 points and 16 rebounds on the season and was the national leader in rebounds per game. She was named an NJCAA All-America honorable mention.
At Dodge County, she was Green was a four-time all-region selection and three-time player of the year, while also earning freshman of the year that season. Green holds the Dodge County record for points in a game with 53 after also scoring 52 in another contest.
She helped Dodge County to pair of region titles.
"Laterria is a strong, dominant post player who has the ability to score efficiently around the basket and control the glass on both ends of the floor," Lang Montgomery said. "Her physical presence, toughness and rebounding instincts will have an immediate impact on our program. Lyric plays with great confidence and brings the kind of interior strength and competitiveness that are essential to winning championships. What excites us most is her work ethic and desire to continue developing her game."
Why I chose Longwood: "From the moment I stepped on campus, it felt like family. The coaches, staff and players made me feel welcomed and showed genuine support for me not only as an athlete, but as a person. The environment was positive, the standards were high and I could tell everyone there pushes each other to be great on and off the court."
Shakira Gresham
5-9 | G
Atlanta, Ga.
Maynard Holbrook Jackson/Mississippi Valley State/Northwest Florida State
A graduate of Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School in Atlanta, Gresham also played at Northwest Florida State College in 2025-26 and Mississippi Valley State in 2024-25.
At Northwest Florida State, Gresham appeared in nine game, averaging 5.7 points and 1.1 rebounds per game after playing in 11 games for Mississippi Valley State. With the Devilettes, she averaged 2.5 points and 1.2 rebounds per game.
While playing at Jackson High School, Gresham averaged 13.9 points, 3.1 assists, 8.6 rebounds, 4.8 steals and 1.9 blocks per game as a junior. As a senior, she compiled 13.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.5 steals, 1.5 assists and 1.0 blocks per game.
A three-year team captain, Gresham helped the Jaguars to their first state championship in history.
"Shakira is a dynamic guard and true three-level scorer who has the ability to impact the game from anywhere on the floor," Lang-Montgomery said. "Her ability to create shots, score off the dribble and stretch defenses with her perimeter shooting will add tremendous versatility to our offense. We are thrilled about her future at Longwood and the impact she will have on our program."
Why I chose Longwood: "Loved the community and also what they have to offer outside of my sport."
McKayla Hosley
6-0 | F
Columbus, Ga.
St. Anne Pacelli/Georgia Southern
Hosley comes to Farmville following spending the 2025-26 season at Georgia Southern. She appeared in six games for an Eagles team that was 23-8 on the year and advanced to the WBIT.
Hosley helped lead St. Anne Pacelli High School to back-to-back state championships in 2023-24 and 2024-25. She was a two-time GIAA Class AAAA Player of the Year for the Vikings (2023-24, 2024-25).
Hosley averaged 15.7 points, 2.3 steals, 3.0 blocks and 2.5 assists per game as a junior. She also competed in flag football, helping the Vikings to two state championships.
"McKayla is exactly the type of student-athlete we want in our program," Lang-Montgomery said. "She is a champion and proven winner who won multiple state championships in high school in basketball and flag football. She is a skilled and versatile athlete with a strong understanding of the game. McKayla's consistency, unselfishness and willingness to do whatever is needed for the team will make her an invaluable part of our success."
Why I chose Longwood: "Because of how adamant the coaches were about me every since they could offer me. I thought to myself that a blessing does not come twice, so I just went and committed."
Idaysia Mercer
5-9 | G
Jasper, Ala.
Jasper/Wallace State CC
In 64 career games over two seasons at Wallace State, Mercer averaged 9.6 points and 4.6 assists in just 7.2 minutes per game. She helped the Lions to a 58-7 record with a NJCAA Division I national tournament appearance in 2024-25 and a district tournament bid last season.
At Jasper High School, Mercer led the Vikings to the 2023-24 Alabama 5A state finals, earning a spot on the all-tournament team. She was part of the 2022-23 all-regional team as well, also earning six all-area tournament selections.
Mercer also played softball for Jasper, claiming all-area citations in that sport from 2022-24.
"Idaysia is an outstanding addition to our program," Lang-Montgomery said. "She is a versatile and talented point guard with the ability to affect the game in many different ways. She brings a calm confidence, strong work ethic and a team-first mindset that will fit seamlessly into our culture. What impressed us most about Idaysia is her character and competitive success in every sport she has played. She has won multiple championships and knows what it takes to win."
Why I chose Longwood: "It felt like home away from home, and I saw myself getting better from a program like this."
