SALEM, W.Va. –The Salem University women's basketball team will have more than a new name and look this season as it has a new coaching staff on the sidelines and a new roster on the floor.
 
First-year head coach Cody Gilmore and staff have worked tirelessly to rebuild a roster that is capable of holding their own in an incredibly tough Atlantic Region.
 
"We started over once I arrived on campus, the goal is to change the culture of Salem women's basketball. We want to be a program that other teams cannot overlook anymore," stated coach Gilmore. 
 
The Tigers return junior Imari Bowers and sophomore Jennifer Chester, while they have brought in 14 fresh faces for the 2018-19 season.
 
The newcomers include:
 
Taelor Carter- 6'0" Forward- Maryland Eastern Shore- Woodbridge, Va.
Carter is a wing who can score the ball in a variety of ways. She comes from a very talented high school in Osbourne Park. Her experience in division I and facing some of the top talent in Northern Virginia will have her ready to aid the Tigers this season.

Endia Jones- 6'2" Forward- Chipola College- Aberdeen, Md.
Jones is an explosive athlete who was considered one of the best junior college post players in the country entering her sophomore year. She will bring the Tigers great length on the wing and the experience of playing in one of the best junior college leagues in the country.
 
Kayla Hall- 6'3" Forward- North Carolina Central University- Jamaica Queens, N.Y.
Hall is a long wing who brings a well-rounded skill set to the Tigers. She brings the ability to play multiple positions on offense and defense. After spending a year redshirting at NCCU, she comes to Salem with four years of eligibility.
 
Aaliyah Holmes- 5'5"- Guard- Blinn College- San Antonio, Texas
Holmes is a combo guard that is comfortable at either guard position. She is a knockdown shooter from deep, bringing a very confident shooter to the Tigers roster. She comes with great experience of playing nightly in one of the best junior college leagues in the country.
 
Precious Price- 5'5"- Guard- Central GA Tech- Covington, Ga.
Price is an explosive guard, who loves to put pressure on the defense with her speed and quickness. She was a major piece of a very good Central Georgia Tech team, where she stuffed the stat sheets.
 
Reeva Jackson- 6'5" Forward- Chesapeake CC- Dover, Del.
Jackson is a strong post presence. She brings the Tigers a player who will be all over the boards and a rim protector on defense. She was a key piece of helping Chesapeake make a national tournament appearance.
 
Nia Bishop- 5'5"- Guard- Boys and Girls High School- New York, N.Y.
Bishop is a hard-nosed guard who knows how to score the basketball. She comes to the Tigers after leading NYC in scoring. Having competed in the NYC league she plays with an edge and toughness that will help bring a physicality to the team.
 
Aitana Nuevo Garcia - 6'4"- Forward- Unicaja- Malaga, Spain
Nuevo-Garcia is a post player with a great skill set. She is a post who brings the ability to stretch the floor as well as banging in the post. Nuevo-Garcia comes with great experience after helping her team make the Spanish National Tournament.
 
Tamia Tart- 5'8"- Guard- Boys and Girls HS- Brooklyn, N.Y.
Tart is a big-time shooter, who can catch fire at a moment's notice. She is a fearless shooter. She plays with the toughness of a player from NYC.
 
Makayla Pickens - 5'6"- Guard- Western HS- Baltimore, Md.
Pickens is a do it all guard, who plays with a lot of heart and toughness. She helped lead her Western High School Doves to an 18-5 record in a very tough Baltimore City Division I league.
 
Nerea Arambarri Fernandez- 5'9"-Gaurd- Celta Baloncesto- Vigo, Spain
Arambarri-Fernandez is a strong wing who brings a well-rounded skill set. Nerea brings an ability to knock down the three and get to the rim. She helped her team to the Spanish National Tournament and to win a Bronze Medal.
 
Daniela Quesada-Villalobos- 5'7"- Guard- Montverde HS- Alajuela, Costa Rica
Quesada-Villalobos is a combo guard that can really score the basketball. She comes to Salem with a lot of experience against good competition. She is a member of the Costa Rica National Team.
 
Alicia Smith- 5'8"- Guard- Trinity College of Florida- Palm Coast, Fla.
Smith is a wing that finds every way possible to put the ball in the basket. She comes to Salem after averaging 20.5 ppg on 55% from the field at Trinity College.
 
Brianna McAllister- 5'9"- Gaurd- Cecil College- Harford, Md.
McAllister comes to Salem after helping Cecil make it to the national tournament last season. She is an extremely athletic wing that is always around the basketball. She is consistently affecting the game in a positive manner.
 
The Tigers open their season this afternoon at 4:00 p.m. at Central State in the Theresa A. Check Tip-Off Classic.