SAN MARCOS, Texas – Jaylin Foster, a Conference USA All-Defensive and All-Tournament Team selection this past season, has signed to transfer to Texas State women's basketball for the 2023-24 season, head coach Zenarae Antoine announced on Friday. Foster has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
 
A product of Bryon P. Steele High School in Cibolo, Foster is returning to Central Texas after spending her first two collegiate seasons at Western Kentucky. The 6-foot forward played in 63 games (50 starts) as a freshman and sophomore for the Lady Toppers and averaged 8.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.5 steals over the two seasons.
 
"We are excited to welcome Jaylin back HOME to Texas and Texas State University," said Antoine. "She is a great fit for our program and University. Her drive and determination to be her best has paid off both on the floor and in the classroom. Jaylin's offensive skill set allows her to be a threat in the paint and on the perimeter and will add to our scoring depth. The positive attitude and work ethic she has is evident when you meet her family. She is a great fit all-around. It is a GREAT day to be a Bobcat!"
 
Foster is coming off a career year in 2022-23 at Western Kentucky. She started 32 of her 33 games played, was named to the C-USA All-Defensive Team as well as the C-USA All-Tournament Team, and helped the Lady Toppers reach the WNIT. She averaged 9.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 28.0 minutes per game and had 17 games of double-digit points. Foster scored 20+ points in two games to bookend her season, first against Vanderbilt in the season opener (23 points, 10 rebounds) and then at Kansas in the first round of the WNIT (24 points, 6 rebounds).
 
Foster finished this past season fifth in total steals in C-USA and sixth in steals per game. She helped the Lady Toppers rank seventh in the country in average steals.
 
As a true freshman in 2021-22, Foster worked her way into the starting lineup by the start of conference play. She logged 30 games, including 18 starts, and averaged 6.9 points and 5.0 rebounds in 21.9 minutes per contest. She was named C-USA Freshman of the Week in late February after scoring a career-high 27 points against Middle Tennessee.
 
Foster started playing basketball in high school and earned all-district first team honors by her junior and senior seasons.
 
The Bobcats have added four transfers to their 2023 signing class so far: Foster, Ja'Niah Henson (guard, Morgan State), Tiffany Tullis (forward, Blinn College), and Crystal Smith (guard, Blinn College). The newcomer class also features incoming freshmen Julia Coleman (forward, St. Louis, Mo.) and Emi Steele (guard, Euless, Texas).
 
 
What They're Saying About Foster
Chris Johnson, Director of CyFair Premier
"Texas State is getting a versatile player who will make an immediate impact."
 
Terry Smothers, Director of CyFair Premier Austin
"Welcome Back to Central Texas, Jaylin Foster! Bobcat Nation, you just signed a dynamic player who will strive in this system with a proven coaching staff! Jaylin is a skilled offensive player who was just named Conference USA All-Defensive team. She is going to be a big piece to the puzzle for the upcoming season!"
 
Jeff Chatman, Head Girls' Basketball Coach at Steele High School
"It's always nice when you can get a special talent in your own back yard!! Jaylin Foster is a Steele Great!! Jaylin is a do it all player that can score from every level and her best scoring happens off the court, because of the amazing young lady she is. Jaylin is the ultimate coaches dream and she will leave Texas State better than she found it."