Ricky Austin Era Officially Begins Monday Against Oglethorpe - Jacksonville State University Athletics

JACKSONVILLE - The Jacksonville State women's basketball team is ushering in a new era in the 2026-27 season as first-year head coach leads the Gamecocks against Oglethorpe Monday at 5 p.m. inside Pete Mathews Coliseum.

Austin was officially added on March 30 following 13-year veteran Rick Pietri announcing his retirement on March 12. Coach Austin retained Toni West from Pietri's staff and added three more assistants. Cooper Austin, Ricky Austin's son, Tuti Jones, had an outstanding playing career at Belmont University, and former UCF video coordinator Reegan McCue rounded out the first-year coach's staff.

From the 2025-26 team, Austin and staff retained junior guard Kyera Thornsbury and sophomore forward Mina Djurdjevic. Along with the two returning players, 11 newcomers are welcomed to the fold. Four freshmen, two sophomores, three juniors, and two seniors conclude the roster breakdown.

Standout transfers include former Middle Tennessee guard Emily Monson, Northwest Florida State junior college guard Kamryn Corporan, and 6'7" center Rocio Jimenez from Mississippi State.

International Gamecocks
Seven of the 13 Gamecocks are from outside of the United States. Meja Hansel and Anna Skog are both from Stockholm, Sweden. Rocio Jimenez hails from Elias Pina, Dominican Republic, Mina Djurdjevic is from Belgrade, Serbia, Kayna Chnina is from Chanteloup, France, Solene Jackson is from Vancouver, Canada, and Nahia Fernandez is from Madrid, Spain.

Two returners
Kyera Thornsbury returns after an impressive sophomore campaign in Jacksonville. Thornsbury averaged 7.1 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game in 2025-26. Thornsbury shot 37.9% from the field. Mina Djurdjevic returns after freshman season where she averaged 4.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and shot 30.4% from the field.

Junior College Transfers
Three of Jax State's players previously spent time at a junior college before coming to Jacksonville. Kamryn Coporan played at one of the nation's elite junior colleges in Northwest Florida State, Gabby Morales spent two seasons at Collin College, and Lillian Jackson played at Tyler Junior College. Jackson went from Tyler to Grambling State, then spent the 2025-26 season playing for West Virginia State.

New Era in Jacksonville
Coach Austin had a nearly three decade long run at Spring Garden High School where he compiled more than 1,000 career victories and multiple state championships, including three consecutive titles in 2023, 2024, 2025. A member of the 2026 Alabama High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame class, His teams made 17 Final Four appearances and produced more than 40 All-State players while maintaining a standard of excellence year after year.

Series History
Monday's matchup between Oglethorpe and Jax State is the first ever meeting between the two squads.

What's Next?
The Gamecocks open the season with three home games in a row. Following Monday's game versus Oglethorpe, Jax State hosts Life University on Friday at 11 a.m. for their Education Day game, then welcome UNA to the Pete on Nov. 9 at 6 p.m.

To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Facebook (Jacksonville State Women's Basketball), Instagram (@JaxStateWBB), and X (@JaxStateWBB) accounts.

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Players Mentioned

Kayna Chnina

Kamryn Corporan

Mina Djurdjevic

Nahia Fernandez

Lillian Jackson

Solene Jackson

Emily Monson

Gabby Morales

Anna Skog

Kyera Thornsbury

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