From ULM Sports Information
MONROE, La. – A pair of graduate transfers – 6-foot forward Brianna Harris, from Troy, and 6-1 forward Kyjai Miles, from Central Arkansas – have signed grants-in-aid to attend ULM and compete in women’s basketball in 2023-24.
With the frontcourt additions, first-year ULM head coach Missy Bilderback’s 2023 recruiting class now totals six as Harris and Miles join 5-9 guard Chardai Watkins (transfer from Southern Miss), 5-9 guard Jakayla Johnson (Auburn), 5-8 guard Daisha “Nunu” Bradford (Clemson) and Destiny “Dee” Haymer (South Alabama). Four of the newcomers – Johnson, Bradford, Haymer and Miles – previously played for Bilderback at Jones College in Ellisville, Mississippi.
Harris appeared in 20 games at Troy and averaged 14.1 minutes per game despite managing an ankle injury throughout the 2021-22 season, as the Trojans claimed the Sun Belt Conference Championship and advanced to the Women’s National Invitation Tournament. She collected 37 percent of her rebounds off the offensive glass. Harris scored in double figures in three of her first four games, including 18 points on 7-of-12 field-goal shooting to go along with eight rebounds (4 offensive boards) in the season opener against Talladega College. She netted 12 points (5-of-8 FG shooting) and grabbed five rebounds against Florida A&M. Harris hit 7-of-9 shots from the floor against Bethune-Cookman and finished with 14 points and six rebounds. She set season highs for rebounds (9) and minutes played (33) at Missouri.
A native of Mobile, Alabama, Harris spent her first three seasons (2018-21) at Louisiana Tech where she saw action in 70 games, including 28 starting assignments. She had a breakout season for the Lady Techsters in 2020-21, averaging 10.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Harris, who started 13 of 19 games, shot 58 percent (77-of-133) from the field and 73 percent (32-of-44) from the free-throw line. She scored in double figures eight times, including a career-high 25 points at Texas. Harris connected on 9-of-11 field-goal attempts, including a 3-pointer, and 6-of-7 free-throw attempts against the Longhorns and pulled down eight rebounds (4 offensive boards). She recorded a pair of double-doubles at UTSA (18 points and 10 rebounds) and against North Texas (17 points and 14 boards).
“We are so excited to add Bre to this roster,” Bilderback said. “Her experience level and maturity will provide an immediate impact. We have watched Bre since her high school days and kept up with her success. Her toughness, physicality, and ability to rebound the ball are so valuable. She has also had multiple big games offensively throughout her career and can play multiple positions with her versatility. Her skill set fits our team and needs perfectly. We are very thankful to get to coach Bre this season and can’t wait to get started.”
Harris was named to the Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll in both 2018-19 and 2019-20.
She was a Class 6A all-state first-team selection as a senior in 2017-18 at Blount High School in Eight Mile, Alabama.
Miles started 25 games at UCA in 2022-23 and led the team in blocked shots (15) and ranked second in rebounding (5.8 per game). She made 40 percent (69-of-172) of her field-goal attempts while scoring in double figures three times. Miles also posted double-digit rebounds in three games. She collected 12 rebounds and four assists against Queens (N.C.). Miles contributed eight points, a career-best 14 rebounds (4 offensive boards) and three blocks at Kennesaw State. She netted 10 points to go along with eight rebounds, two blocks and three steals at Jacksonville State. Miles recorded her first career double-double at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, hitting 5-of-10 shots from the field en route to a season-high 11 points, 11 rebounds (7 offensive boards), three assists and three steals. In her UCA debut, she scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds at Kansas State.
“We are thankful Kyjai is joining us at ULM,” Bilderback said. “She has valuable experience starting 45 games in her last two seasons at Division 1. Her length, athleticism, and commitment to defending at a high level separate her. She has a great motor and is an excellent rebounder as well. She will bring a winning mentality and leadership with her work ethic. She is a special person and we are very excited to have the opportunity to coach her,”
Prior to transferring to UCA, Miles spent the 2021-22 season at Chicago State where she started 20 of 27 games. She made 7-of-17 field-goal attempts and finished with a career-best 14 points and seven rebounds at Utah Tech. Miles pulled down a season-high nine rebounds (4 offensive boards) at FIU.
While playing for Bilderback at Jones College in 2020-21, Miles led the Bobcats in rebounding, averaging 7.5 per game, and ranked second in blocked shots with 15. She recorded double-figure rebounds in four games, including a season-high 14 boards against Western Nebraska in the NCJAA Sweet 16. Miles grabbed 11 rebounds at South Georgia Tech and 10 each at Southwest Mississippi and at Shelton State.
She previously appeared in 26 games as a freshman in 2019-20 at Midland (Texas) College.
A Dallas native, Miles averaged 11.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and nearly 2.0 blocks per game as a senior in 2018-19 at Skyline High School. She was a three-time District 8-6A Defensive Player of the Year selection by The Dallas Morning News.
Her brothers, Keaton (West Virginia, 2011-13; and Arkansas, 2014-16) and Kortrijk (New Mexico State, 2017-18; and Prairie View A&M, 2022-23), played NCAA Division I basketball.
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