Newcastle Eagles welcome the arrival of former Southern Mississippi Golden Eagle Jakayla ‘JK’ Johnson to their 2026/27 Women’s Super League Basketball line-up.

The 5’9” guard will commence her first year in the professional ranks by swapping her stateside Eagles wings for new ones in Newcastle.

A proven scorer at college level, Johnson completed a senior season in the Sun Belt Conference this year averaging 15.6 points, 4.1 rebounds per game and shooting an impressive 39.2% from 3-point range. All good enough to win her a place in the All-Sun Belt Conference second team.


JK Johnson joins Newcastle Eagles from the stateside Golden Eagles of Southern Mississippi. (Photos: University of Southern Mississippi)

Head coach Chloe Gaynor said: “I’m excited to welcome JK to our roster this season. She is a guard who can score in a variety of ways and who also takes pride on the defensive end of the floor.

“In conversations JK is clear about her will to win and her toughness and grit shine through. I’m looking forward to working with her in this first step as a pro.”

The Mississippi native is an impressive scorer and prior to her senior year she spent two years at University of Louisiana at Monroe averaging over 15 points per game both seasons, gaining All-Sun Belt First Team honours in 2024/25, before making the switch to Southern Mississippi for her senior year.


Johnson was a proven scorer in college and brings her energy and passion to the SLB with Newcastle Eagles. (Photos: University of Southern Mississippi)

Johnson further confirmed her prowess last season after being selected as a finalist for the C Spire Gillom Trophy. An award given annually to the best women’s college basketball player in the state of Mississippi by the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.

“The dream became reality. I’m blessed for the opportunity and hungry for more. To the Newcastle fans, I’m bringing relentless energy, passion, and a winning mindset every game,” said Johnson.

“Different country, same beast. I’m ready to embrace the challenge, trust the process, and show what I’m capable of with the Newcastle Eagles.”

“The work doesn’t stop because the dream came true. I’ve always played with a chip on my shoulder. Now I have a new home, a new opportunity, and the same hunger to dominate.


“This is only the beginning. Newcastle, let’s get to work.”

JK joins fellow new signing Polly Storie in Gaynor’s new-look women’s side who will have more teammates and a pre-season tip-off announced in the coming weeks.

Fans can already pick up tickets for the women’s opening SLB Championship home games from the box office.