GREENVILLE, S.C. — Furman women's head basketball coach Pierre Curtis announced today the addition of three players to the program.
 
Two transfers and one prep signee are the latest recruits to join the Paladins.  The additions include Ava Sawi, a 5-foot-7 transfer guard from Radford, Ciara Alexander, a 6-foot transfer guard/forward from Campbell, and Nariah Nelson, a 5-foot-10 high school standout guard from Bonaire, Ga.
 
"Among our goals with this class was to add athleticism, toughness, and scoring versatility with players from winning backgrounds, and I think we were able to do that," said Curtis in making the announcement.
 
Sawi, who has two years of eligibility remaining, spent two years at Radford, seeing action in 30 games as a reserve.  She scored a career high 10 points in a 75-32 win over Presbyterian in Radford's 2025-26 campaign that saw the Highlanders post a 23-13 record and advance to the second round of the WNIT. 
 
A native of Springfield, Va., and 2024 graduate of Episcopal High School, she earned all-league and all-state honors during her prep career.
 
"Ava is a guard with a winning attitude we believe can boost our athleticism on both sides of the floor," said Curtis.  "Her speed is high level, and her ability to get into the paint and make plays for herself and others will benefit our team tremendously."
 
Alexander registered playing time in 66 games over the last two seasons at Campbell, where she averaged 7.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.  The Atlanta, Ga., native saw action in 31 contests and logged 14 starts this past year in helping the Camels to a 20-12 record.  Her 2025-26 campaign included a season high 17 points in a 66-54 victory over Western Carolina and a pair of 11-rebound outings versus Mercer (71-49 win) and UNC Wilmington (54-52 win).  She twice earned CAA Rookie of the Week honors as a freshman en route to being named to the 2024-25 CAA All-Rookie Team.
 
Alexander was a standout prep at Mount Paran Christian School, where as a senior she averaged 20.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game in helping her squad to a second consecutive state championship. A two-time all-state selection, she was named 2024 Cobb County Player of the Year and Georgia Class 2A Player of the Year by both the GACA and Atlanta Journal-Constitution.  Her father, Courtney Alexander, who starred at both Virginia and Fresno State and led the NCAA in scoring in 2000, played in the NBA.
 
"Once we saw Ciara was available we knew we had to have her," commented Curtis.  "She's a relentless rebounder and defender. Her ability to play inside and out on both ends of the floor will mesh perfectly with our current front court.  She has won at every level and we are excited to add that mindset to our family."
 
Nelson was a catalyst on Mt. Hebron Academy's 2026 Georgia 2A state championship squad that went 30-1 and claimed the prestigious Myrtle Beach Beach Ball Classic crown.  The left-hander, who is rated among the Top 20 players in Georgia, totaled over 1,500 points, 700 rebounds, and 300 assists in her career, which also included three GACA All-State tabs.
 
Said Curtis of Nelson's addition: "Nariah is a player we have recruited for two years and are fortunate she was available this late in the process. She has the ability to score the ball at all three levels and has the frame to deliver at the college level immediately."
 
Sawi, Alexander, and Nelson join Furman November signees Emma Briggs, a 6-foot forward from Glen Ellyn, Ill., and Keegan Morris, a 5-foot-8 guard from Ruckersville, Va., in completing this year's Paladin recruiting class.
 
Furman is projected to return eight letterwinners and four starters off its 2025-26 squad that posted an 18-13 record and produced a pair of All-Southern Conference performers in forward Clare Coyle and guard Alyssa Ervin.