Texas A&M Women's Basketball Will Increase Training Intensity
Coach Joni Taylor prepares her roster for a faster pace ahead of the 2026-27 season opener.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Basketball
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Texas A&M women's basketball is ramping up preparations for the 2026-27 season by doubling weekly summer workout time to eight hours. The team is integrating four transfers and two freshmen into the program as they aim to play at a faster pace.
Why it matters
The increased training and roster turnover are essential for Coach Joni Taylor to build team chemistry after losing forward Lauren Ware. These adjustments are designed to help the group evaluate new talent and establish a more efficient playing style before the season begins.
The program has increased summer workout time to 8 hours per week, up from 4 hours previously. The new roster features four transfers and two freshmen to fill depth gaps.
The players
Joni Taylor
Joni Taylor serves as the head coach for the Texas A&M women's basketball team.
Essence Cody
Essence Cody is a new transfer to the Texas A&M roster who previously competed for Alabama.
Anita Franchini
Anita Franchini is a guard for Texas A&M who spent the summer competing with her national team.
Lauren Ware
Lauren Ware is a former Texas A&M forward whose departure necessitated roster adjustments.
Jayda Porter
Jayda Porter is a freshman on the Texas A&M roster who is currently recovering from summer surgery.
The details
Texas A&M conducted a mix of individual and group sessions to develop chemistry, including an intense four-day workout stretch in mid-July. While the staff evaluates new additions like Essence Cody, Kaniyah Boyd, Kailyn Gilbert, Miyah Verse, Rieyan DeSouze, and Jayda Porter, they are also managing recovery efforts for players like Porter following summer surgery.
Timeline
Mid-July 2026 saw the completion of an intense four-day workout stretch.
Summer 2026 featured a new regimen of eight hours of weekly training.
The 2026-27 basketball season is scheduled to begin in November 2026.
Season Trajectory
Maximizing the time allowed under the NCAA summer workout regulation window is critical for integrating a high volume of new recruits. This accelerated training cycle directly impacts the team's potential to establish a competitive identity before the November tip-off.
The heavy reliance on four new transfers means the starting rotation and team chemistry will remain fluid until the season opener. Tracking how players like Essence Cody integrate into the faster-paced system will be the primary indicator of the team's potential success in the SEC.
The takeaway
Coaches often use the expanded summer training windows to test the viability of new systems before high-stakes games begin. Fans and analysts should monitor early-season player rotations as the primary indicator of how well new roster additions have adapted to the team's faster pace.
What happens next
The basketball season is expected to begin in November 2026.
Further reading
For more information on the program, visit the Basketball page.
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