JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Austin Peay State University's Jim'Miyah Branton of women's basketball was selected to the All-United Athletic Conference Preseason Team, the league announced Wednesday.
An Atlantic Sun Conference All-Freshman and All-Tournament selection last season, Branton started 28-of-33 games for the Governors and led the team with 134 assists (4.1 per game), 55 steals (1.7 per game), and 1,024 minutes played (31.0 per game). Her 134 assists ranked 10th all-time in a single season in program history.
Not only was she a playmaker on the hardwood, but she also racked up the points, averaging 10.9 points per game and scoring in double figures 21 times, with a pair of 20-point performances.
The Miami, Florida native was named to the ASUN All-Tournament Team after scoring in double figures in all four games in the tournament, beginning with an 18-point, six-rebound, and a season-high five-steal performance against Lipscomb (March 3) in the opening round. She also helped lead the Governors to a win over the #1 seed Eastern Kentucky (March 5) in the quarterfinal round.
After finishing the 2025-26 season in the ASUN Championship game, the Governors were picked to finish fourth in the Preseason UAC Coaches Poll. Abilene Christian was tabbed as the preseason favorite, receiving eight first-place votes, with Eastern Kentucky and Central Arkansas trailing the Wildcats. Central Arkansas received one first-place vote. The Governors were picked to finish fourth, with UT Arlington, Tarleton State, Little Rock, West Georgia, and North Alabama following in that order.
UAC Women's Basketball Preseason Awards
Preseason Player of the Year: Payton Hull, Abilene Christian
Preseason All-UAC Team
Payton Hull, Abilene Christian
Meredith Mayes, Abilene Christian
Erin Woodson, Abilene Christian
Jim'Miyah Branton, Austin Peay
Tiani Ellison, Central Arkansas
Cheyanne Kemp, Central Arkansas
Liz Freihofer, Eastern Kentucky
Kirsten Lewis-Williams, Eastern Kentucky
Mya Cotto, Little Rock
Brynn Lusby, North Alabama
Sydne Tolbert, West Georgia
Preseason Coaches Poll
Pl.    Team (1st Place Votes) Points
1.     Abilene Christian (8)  64
2.     Eastern Kentucky 52
3.     Central Arkansas (1)  49
4.     Austin Peay  38
5.     UT Arlington  34
6.     Tarleton State  33
7.     Little Rock  25
8.     West Georgia  17
9.     North Alabama 12
