Pirate Preview: Ja'Kahla Craft ('26-'27)

Published: Tuesday, September 15, 2026

by Lauren Reese

The 2026-27 Seton Hall Women’s Basketball team consists of a relatively new and refreshed roster this season, featuring five freshmen and three transfers. One of the key returning players is a versatile guard who commands the floor every time she steps on it and is coming off of a breakout season: Ja'Kahla Craft, a junior from Elk River, Minnesota.

 

From making 22 appearances all off the bench the season prior and averaging just 2.1 points in 9.5 minutes per game, Craft exploded in her second season as a Pirate. 

 

The guard bumped her points per game average up to 6.9, as well as saw her minutes increase to 18 per game. Additionally, Craft was also given the green light to start in five contests.

 

On a roster that featured nine guards, Craft was a prominent, confident, and reliable player entrusted within head coach Tony Bozzella’s system. Craft possessed the capabilities of being a true game-changer every time she stepped on the court, being called upon to play in a variety of nailbiter non-conference and BIG EAST matchups.

 

Craft’s physicality and versatility as a scorer, and high-energy play allowed her to excel in all areas on the court. 

 

In her time on the court, Craft went 52% from the field, and 40% from 3. At the charity stripe this season, she went 17-19, good for 89%. Her consistency in the scoring department was essential, regardless of if she started or came off the bench.

 

Craft reached double-figures in scoring five times, including conference games against Xavier and Georgetown. In an incredible fashion, her biggest performance from last season included a perfect 30 minutes of play on February 14 vs DePaul. She went 11-11 from the field and 4-4 from distance for 26 points, breaking Seton Hall's single-game efficiency record.

 

Two days later, Craft was honored as a MBWA Division I Player of the Week Honorable Mention selection. Additionally, she was selected for the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll as a result of the remarkable performance. But another underrated yet highly valued aspect of Craft’s game has to be rebounding.

 

She increased her averages from 1.7 the season prior to 3.7 last year. Standing at 5-foot-9, Craft had a career-high 11 rebounds at Marquette on February 11. While the Pirates roster, this year consists of six players over 6 feet, Craft’s tenacity on climbing the boards is still going to be an essential factor in games.

 

Craft, alongside other upperclassmen Savannah Catalon and Shailyn Pinkney, will be vital veteran leadership this upcoming season for a younger Pirates squad.

 

Craft has proven time and time again how dominant she can be on the court, and will look to continue her strong play in her junior year.

 

Lauren Reese can be reached at lauren.reese@student.shu.edu 

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