COCHRAN, Ga. – Middle Georgia State head women's basketball coach Steven Rhodes has announced the addition of three student-athletes to the Knights' 2026 recruiting class, welcoming Madyson Jones, Johannah "JoJo" Malik and Maggie Westling to The Knight Shift. The trio joins early signees Kyndal Haroski and Claire Carlson as part of a class that adds talent, versatility and experience to one of the strongest returning cores in program history.
Coming off a historic 17-win season and returning the majority of that roster, Rhodes said the staff entered the recruiting process with a clear understanding of what the program needed both on and off the court.
"When we started recruiting this class, we knew exactly what we were looking for," Rhodes said. "We wanted to add people who would strengthen the culture we already had while also addressing some basketball needs. We felt like we needed to improve our shooting, and we wanted to add a post who could score on the block and defend bigger, stronger post players. Most importantly, we wanted people who fit who we are. I really believe we accomplished all of that with this class. They're outstanding basketball players, but they're even better people. They compete, they embrace what it takes to win at a high level and they all value being part of something bigger than themselves. Those are exactly the kinds of people we want representing The Knight Shift."
Madyson Jones
5-10 | Wing | Warner Robins, Georgia | Warner Robins High School
Jones joins the Knights after helping lead Warner Robins High School to a 23-5 record during her senior season. A long, athletic wing, she brings versatility to both ends of the floor and has the ability to impact the game at multiple positions.
"The first thing that stood out about Madyson wasn't her game, it was who she is," Rhodes said. "She's a winner, she's an incredible teammate and she's someone who genuinely loves to work. Those qualities fit exactly what we've built here. On the court, you see a long, athletic wing who can impact the game on both ends of the floor. She has tremendous versatility, fits our style of play really well and gives us the flexibility to play her in multiple positions. I honestly believe she has only scratched the surface of what she's capable of becoming. We're excited to watch her maximize her potential and see everything she's capable of accomplishing during her career at Middle Georgia State."
Johannah "JoJo" Malik
5-9 | Wing | Georgetown, Texas | Georgetown High School
Malik earned Honorable Mention All-Central Texas recognition and was selected to compete in the 2026 Central Texas High School All-Star Game.
A strong, physical wing, she brings shooting ability, positional versatility and a high basketball IQ to the Knights.
"JoJo was someone we knew we had to get," Rhodes said. "Big, skilled, high-IQ guards fit our system extremely well, and she checks every one of those boxes. She can really shoot the basketball, she's versatile, she makes great reads and she plays with an edge because she absolutely hates to lose. Just as important, she's a tremendous culture fit. She holds herself to a high standard in everything she does, she embraces the work it takes to be successful and she's exactly the kind of teammate you want in your program. I think she's going to have a tremendous impact here."
Maggie Westling
5-11 | Post | Milaca, Minnesota | North Dakota State College of Science
Westling arrives following one of the most decorated junior college careers in the country.
A two-time NJCAA Division I All-American at North Dakota State College of Science, Westling averaged 19.2 points and 12.5 rebounds as a freshman before averaging 21.3 points and 13.5 rebounds during her sophomore season. She finished her junior college career with 44 double-doubles, earned Mon-Dak Athletic Conference MVP honors and was named NJCAA Division I National Player of the Week.
Westling fills an important need for the Knights by adding an experienced post presence capable of scoring on the block, defending bigger and stronger post players and rebounding at a high level.
"Maggie was a game changer for us because she addressed exactly what we felt we needed," Rhodes said. "We wanted to add someone who could score on the block offensively while also giving us the ability to defend bigger, stronger post players. She checks both of those boxes at a really high level. She's also an elite rebounder, and that's something we put a huge emphasis on in our program. But what really separated Maggie was the person. She has an infectious personality, she's a natural leader and she has a unique ability to connect with everyone around her. She makes us better because of who she is just as much as she does because of what she brings on the court."
Rhodes believes the three additions complement an experienced returning group while strengthening the program's foundation for the 2026-27 season.
"I've always believed that you win with people, and I feel like we knocked it out of the park with these three because of the people they are," Rhodes said. "One of the things we talk about in our program all the time is that how you do anything is how you do everything, and these three embody that every single day. They hold themselves to a high standard, they embrace what it takes to win at a high level and they're willing to put the team ahead of themselves. I'm really excited to add Madyson, JoJo and Maggie to our program, and I can't wait to watch them grow as people, as students and as basketball players while leaving their mark on The Knight Shift."
