MILLIGAN, Tenn. – The Milligan University women's basketball team detailed their list of 10 incoming student-athletes for the 2026-27 season.
Eight freshmen and a pair of transfers join the fold for a program that continues to have their sights set on Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) dominance and yet another NAIA Tournament appearance.
"We're excited to add our newcomers to a strong Lady Buffs squad," said head coach Kylie Russell Greer. "Out of the list below, some will contribute with our varsity team and some with our JV team. Right now, Ellie Linx, Elivia Moore, and Zoe Rector are showing promise to contribute to this year's varsity squad, but keep an eye on the other young ones as this season progresses. We have 18 JV games and 28 varsity games on the schedule. Come out and welcome these new players to Buff Nation!"
The full bios for the squad's newcomers are below:
Transfers:
#3 Elivia Moore – JR – G – 5'7 – Cleveland, Tenn. – Alice Lloyd College
Elivia Moore helps headline the 2026 women's basketball recruiting class. One of a pair of transfers, she averaged 22 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two steals during her two seasons as a member of the Alice Lloyd College Eagles. The guard was a graduate of Hamilton Heights Christian Academy. She will be a psychology major at Milligan.
#23 Ellie Linx – JR – G – 5'8 – Dandridge, Tenn. – Pellissippi State CC/Walters State CC
The Milligan women's basketball team adds Ellie Linx, a 5'7 guard from Dandridge, Tenn. who has spent the last two years at Walters State CC and Pellissippi State CC, respectively. Across her two years in the junior college ranks, she scored 10.4 points per game. Prior to her college days, she attended Lakeway Christian Academy. She will major in education at Milligan.
Incoming Freshman:
#0 Celeste Riddle – FR – G – 5'7" – Clyde, N.C. – Lakeway Christian Academy
Celeste Riddle, hailing from Clyde, N.C., joins Milligan's women's basketball program as a wing for the 2026 season. Prior to Milligan, Riddle competed at Lakeway Christian Academy in White Pine, Tenn. Academically, she plans to major in exercise science at Milligan.
#1 Ella Wilson – FR – F – 5'10 – Johnson City, Tenn. – Daniel Boone HS
Local standout Ella Wilson, an All-District and All-Region performer with the Trailblazers at Daniel Boone HS, comes to the Milligan women's basketball program in 2026-27. She
brings more height to the squad, but can play inside and outside. She will study Exercise Science while pursuing basketball at Milligan.
#12 Zoe Rector – FR – F – 5'11 – Connelly Springs, N.C. – Hibriten HS
Zoe Rector of Connelly Springs, N.C. will be a member of Milligan's women's basketball program as a freshman in 2026-27. The 5'11 forward averaged 12.5 points, five rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 blocks per game in her prep years. Rector will major in nursing while with the Buffs.
#14 Emily Atchley – FR – F – 5'10 – Seymour, Tenn. – The King's Academy
Emily Atchley comes to Milligan via The King's Academy in Seymour, Tenn. She was an All-District performer on a team that made the State Tournament most seasons of her high school career. The 5'10 forward will study both psychology and criminal justice during her time at Milligan.
#21 Amy McKenzie – FR – G – 5'11 – Auckland, New Zealand – Takapuna Grammar School
Amy McKenzie comes to Milligan from Auckland, New Zealand and Takapuna Grammar School. The 5'11 sharpshooter competed in the 2024 New Zealand Secondary School National Championships. She averaged 20.9 points and shot over 50% from 3 pt for that tournament. She also played for the largest U18 Club in New Zealand and shot over 50% (65% from 2 and 43% from 3) in those Championships as well. She is majoring in engineering during her time at Milligan.
#24 Kyleigh Cawood – FR – G – 5'6 – Kingston, Tenn. – Midway HS
Kyleigh Cawood is a freshman out of Midway HS in Kingston, Tenn. The 5'6 guard was an All-State performer in 2024 and 2025. She scored 1,517 points in her career, and is excited to be a Milligan Buff after watching her brother, Jacob Cawood, play for the men's program. She will study mathematics and education at Milligan.
#25 Emma Jaworski – FR – F – 5'10" – Johnson City, Tenn. – Tri-Cities Christian Academy
Emma Jaworski joins her twin sister, Ella, on the Milligan women's basketball program as a freshman in 2026. She previously attended Homelife Academy and makes a short trek to Milligan, as she is from nearby Johnson City, Tenn. Emma was coached by two Milligan Basketball alumni, Jordan Stout and Teal Davis. At Milligan, Emma is will study Exercise Science.
#41 Ella Jaworski – FR – F – 5'11" – Johnson City, Tenn. – Tri-Cities Christian Academy
Local athlete Ella Jaworski joins Milligan's frontcourt from Johnson City, Tenn. as a freshman in 2026. Jaworski competed at Tri-Cities Christian Academy before joing the Buffs. Like her sister Emma, Ella was coached by two Milligan Basketball alumni, Jordan Stout and Teal Davis. Ella plans on studying Exercise Science during her time at Milligan.
