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Wayne State University Athletics

WBB Polk & Walker

Women's Basketball Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Women's Basketball Adds Transfer And Newcomer to Complete 2023-24 Roster

DETROIT -- Wayne State University women's basketball head coach Carrie Lohr, who is entering her 13th season at the helm of the Warriors, has added significant height to the roster with her final two additions for the upcoming 2023-24 campaign.

Enrolling this semester at WSU were 6-3 senior center ZaMaria Polk (Detroit, Mich. / Mumford / Cleveland State) and 6-2 freshman center J'Ahni Walker (Saginaw, Mich. / Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy).

"Zamaria brings size and physicality to our team," remarked Lohr.  "She has been working really hard to get herself ready for the season, having spent two years away from the game.  She is vocal, brings positive energy and is very competitive.  We are optimistic that Z will help us defensively to protect the paint and rebound the ball."

ZaMaria Polk, 6-3, C, Detroit, Mich. / Mumford (Cleveland State)
2021-23:  Spent the last two years working as a Certified Nursing Assistant.

2020-21 (Cleveland State):  Played in 10 games with one start totaling 14 points (5 and 9 in back-to-back games at IUPUI on Dec. 19-20) and 10 rebounds (3 offensive, 7 defensive) ... connected on 6-of-16 (37.5%) from the floor and 2-of-8 (25%) from the charity stripe ... grabbed three rebounds (1-2) vs. Mercyhurst on Feb. 6.

2019-20 (Pensacola State):  Appeared in all 30 of the team's contests with 26 starts ... averaged 11.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game with a 52.2 field goal percentage (143-of-274) ... notched seven double-doubles, one of which included 18 points and 23 boards (career high) on Jan. 15 at Tallahassee CC ... the other six double-doubles came on Nov. 5 (24 points, 13 rebounds), Nov. 22 (13 and 13), Jan. 11 (10 and 14), Jan. 29 (20 and 10), Feb. 1 (14 and 19), and Feb. 19 (16 and 11) ... those 24 points on Nov. 5 at Coastal Alabama-North were a personal best ... totaled eight outings with 10+ rebounds, 17 with 10 or more points and three with 20+ points ... named Second Team All-Conference.

2018-19 (Pensacola State):  Played in all 28 of the team's games as a true freshman, while making 14 starts ... averaged 4.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per- game, while shooting 38.5 percent from the field (50-of-130) ... scored at least 10 points in four games, including her collegiate debut with 10 points on Nov. 2 against Central Georgia Technical College ... the three other 10-point performances were 10 on Dec. 4 vs. Bishop State CC, 11 on Feb. 2 at Tallahassee CC, and 10 on Feb. 20 vs. Chipola College ... participated in the NJCAA Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-Star Weekend.

High School:  A 2018 graduate of Detroit Mumford High School ... selected to the 2018 Detroit News Class B All-State Fourth Team ... helped the Mustangs win their first-ever Detroit Public School League (PSL) Championship as a senior for coach Kareem Hogan ... tallied 10 points and 20 rebounds in a 2018 victory over Renaissance ... recorded 17 rebounds, nine points and five blocks in aiding DMHS to the 2017 PSL West Division I title with a triumph over Renaissance ... spent first two years of high school at Oak Park ... scored 12 points as a freshman for the Knights in a win over Berkley ... served as a team captain as a senior.

Personal:  Full name -- ZaMaria A. Polk ... born on January 20, 2000, in Detroit ... daughter of Steven Polk and Crystal Curtis ... has four brothers, Kelvin, Xavier, Zedell, ZeMar, and two sisters, Tia and Taylor ... is a Nursing major.

"J'Ahni joined us late this summer," commented Lohr.  "She brings height and length to our team that we haven't had in a few years.  We think she has big potential.  J'Ahni is eager to learn and develop her game."

J'Ahni Walker, C, 6-2, Saginaw, Mich. / Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy
High School:  A 2023 graduate of Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy (SASA) ... was a four-year letterwinner for the Dragons ... averaged 14.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.3 blocks per game as a senior for coach Brian Tennant ... scored 27 points in a 56-53 triumph over AuGres-Sims as a senior ... credited with eight points, 16 rebounds and 12 blocks in a setback to Vassar in 2023 ... totaled 16 points and 14 blocks in 2023 against AuGres-Sims ... notched a double-double with 25 points, 18 rebounds and five blocked shots in a 2022 victory over Burton Thomas More Academy ... selected team MVP each of her last two seasons ... finished second in school history in both career rebounds (730) and blocked shots (344) ... served as a team captain both junior and senior seasons ... was a member of the Honors Society all four years and graduated Summa Cum Laude ... played summer ball for the Michigan Storm and coach Michael Zinn.

Personal:  Full name -- J'Ahni J. Walker ... born on July 19, 2005, in Saginaw ... daughter of Roy and Delores Walker ... father played two seasons at UNC-Wilmington (1986-87 and 1987-88), scoring 237 points as a senior while shooting 51 percent (88-of-172) from the floor ... has an older sister, Jalajca, and a younger sister, Jhi-Khina ... plans to major in Exercise and Sport Science ... first name is pronounced Jay-aw-ne.

Wayne State begins its 2023-24 season with a home exhibition contest vs. Michigan-Dearborn at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 1.



 
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Players Mentioned

ZaMaria Polk

#34 ZaMaria Polk

F
6' 3"
Senior
J

#11 J'Ahni Walker

C
6' 2"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

ZaMaria Polk

#34 ZaMaria Polk

6' 3"
Senior
F
J

#11 J'Ahni Walker

6' 2"
Freshman
C