Southern Illinois women’s basketball announced on Apr. 29 the addition of junior guard Braxcynn Baker, who is transferring from Murray State. Head coach Kelly Bond-White said Baker brings scoring ability and experience to the team.
The move matters as Baker joins a program that competes at the NCAA Division I level, according to the official website. The Southern Illinois Salukis women’s basketball team also participates in the Missouri Valley Conference and hosts its home games at Banterra Center in Carbondale, Illinois.
“Braxcynn is a high-level scorer with a natural feel for the game,” said Bond-White. “She has the ability to stretch the floor, create off the bounce, and make plays in traffic. What excites us most is her work ethic and her competitiveness — she’s been part of winning and understands what it takes. Braxcynn fits exactly what we’re building: tough, skilled, and hungry. We’re excited to get her here and continue to develop her game while helping her reach her full potential.”
Baker earned recognition during high school with multiple All-State honors including Detroit Free Press First Team All-State as a junior and Dream Team honors as a senior. She averaged 25 points per game in her final season at Lowell High School with eight games over 30 points while leading her team to a district championship.
During the 2024-25 season at Murray State, she played in 32 games and shot 38 percent from three-point range. She scored a career-high of 18 points against Evansville and had another strong performance with 17 points, six rebounds, two steals, and two assists against Indiana State during the following season.
Off court, Baker maintained a GPA of 3.8 academically and plans to pursue Journalism with a minor in Advertising while at Southern Illinois University.
The Salukis women’s basketball program operates from Carbondale, Illinois according to their official website.
