Loaded Women’s Squad Seeks More Success in 2024-25

NORFOLK, Va. --- With nine returners and three transfer newcomers, Norfolk State women’s basketball head coach Larry Vickers prepares to lead an experienced squad into the upcoming season.  

When the Spartans open the 2024-25 season at Echols Hall on Monday evening against William & Mary, the group has the confidence to return to the NCAA Tournament once again. 

“Getting back to where we were and taking that next step is going to take energy, toughness, and desire,” Vickers said. “We must find that same fight and desire that we had last season and build on it.”  

A testing path awaits, though. The Spartans have built a difficult non-conference schedule that includes four games against power five schools: No. 15 North Carolina, No. 24 Alabama, Missouri, and Auburn. Several more staunch mid-major opponents remain, including the defending WNIT Champion Saint Louis, Wyoming, Washington State, and Green Bay.  

“We are looking at around nine teams on our non-conference schedule that could win their league or be an NCAA tournament team,” Vickers said. “We want to go out there, challenge ourselves, and play our best every night we step on the court.”   

Vickers has built a winning culture at Norfolk State since he took over the squad. This season, the team seeks a fourth-straight MEAC regular season title and a third-straight tournament crown. But above all the accomplishments, the team has developed a family-like bond that shows on and off the court.  

“We have built a sisterhood between all of us,” senior forward Kierra Wheeler said. “We want to show everyone the love and push ourselves to be a successful team.”  

The Spartans assembled around the two leading scores of the team: the reigning MEAC Player of the Year Wheeler and MEAC Preseason Player of the Year Diamond Johnson. The duo combined for 37.9 points per game last season.  

“Wheeler and Johnson have the ability to see the vision that we want to take this basketball program,” Vickers said. “Both players have a great work ethic that sets an example for our squad.”  

Both student-athletes earned selections to the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year preseason watchlist while Johnson earned a spot on the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year preseason watchlist.  

The Spartans return two more starters from last year’s championship squad: Niya Fields and Da’naijah Williams. Fields led the MEAC last season in assists per game (4.0), total assists (132), and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.12).  

“We really value her ability to pass the ball and get steals for us,” Vickers said.  

Williams averaged 6.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals last season, bringing defensive intensity to the Spartans.   
“She is one of the best defenders in our league,” Vickers said, “We love her ability to defend the ball and produce steals for us.”  

The Spartans also bring back two All-MEAC rookie team selections from last season: Anjanae Richardson and Da’Braya Clark. The pair provide crucial depth to a talented roster.  

Richardson averaged 7.1 points per game and scored a season-high 16 points at South Carolina State. Clark earned five MEAC Rookie of the Week honors while posting 6.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.  

“We are excited to see the leaps that they take from this offseason after being all-MEAC rookies,” Vickers said.  

The Spartans also brought in three transfers: Amari Smith from Morgan State, Ciara Bailey from Harcum College, and Stephanie Mosley from Northwest Florida State College.  

“Smith is one of the top 10 three-point scorers in our league, while Mosley gives us some size at the guard spot,” Vickers said. “Bailey will provide us with size, athleticism, and scoring.”  

The Spartans not only brought in more talent to their championship roster but added to their staff with two coaching additions in Chris Godfrey and Chanette Hicks.  

Godfrey comes to Norfolk State after spending the past two seasons as an assistant coach at Georgia Southern.  

“Godfrey is a 10-year veteran assistant that is going to help us recruit across the country,” Vickers said. “He will help us recruit in areas of the country we haven’t been able to recruit in before to build our team.  

Hicks joins the staff in a new role, following her time as a graduate assistant at Norfolk State. Closing out her playing career at Norfolk State before transitioning to coaching, she became the first Spartan to win both the MEAC Player of the Year and MEAC Defensive Player of the Year awards in the same season.  

“Hicks is one of the best MEAC basketball players in history,” Vickers said. “We are excited for her to join our staff and continue her legacy here at NSU.” 

Norfolk State can’t wait to get on the court and show the fans the work put in this offseason and build on its successes from last season. Norfolk State hits the court for the first time this season on Monday, Nov. 4 against William & Mary inside of Echols Hall.  

“This school has a model of achieving excellence,” Vickers said, “We have players that play hard and were excited to hit the court and bring our best every single night.”