Bilderback Inks Pair of SEC Transfers
4/15/2025 10:18:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss women's basketball head coach Missy Bilderback today announced the signing of Arkansas point guard Carly Keats and Auburn center Tamiya Thurman.
Keats previously played under Bilderback at Jones College before rising to the SEC ranks for two seasons. Thurman, a three-time All-State First Teamer and former Alabama Player of the Year originally signed with Auburn out of Linden High School as one of the top ranked post players in the region.
Carly Keats
PG | Sr. | 5-8 | TR
Philadelphia, Miss. | Neshoba Central HS | Jones College (2022-23) | Arkansas (2023-25)
Keats, an experienced sharp-shooting guard from Philadelphia, Miss., played in 59 games over two seasons under Arkansas head coach Mike Neighbors. She made 31 starts and averaged 6.5 points per game in her time with the Razorbacks. She originally signed with Arkansas after being recruited by former Lady Eagle and M-Club Hall of Famer Pauline Love.
"Carly has a unique feel of the game that includes a smoothness with her ball control and fantastic court vision," said Bilderback. "She is creative in her own shot making in the paint or in setting up others and has deep range with her three. She is a hard worker that brings quality SEC experience to our team. She leads by example every day with her toughness, work ethic and will to win. We are so excited to welcome Carly home to Southern Miss."
Prior to signing with the Hogs, Keats played one season of junior college ball at Jones College (Ellisville, Miss.) under Coach Bilderback. She was a member of the fab four lineup that helped the Bobcats to back-to-back NJCAA Tournament Elite Eight appearances. Her efforts in Ellisville saw her earn All-MACCC First Team honors as well as a spot on the All-NJCAA Region 23 Team.
She spent her prep years at the powerhouse Neshoba Central High School (Philadelphia, Miss.) playing under Coach Jason Broom. Prior to her senior year, she earned a spot on the Clarion-Ledger's Dandy Dozen squad. She lived up to the expectations after leading the Rockets to a perfect 33-0 record and the MHSAA Class 5A State Championship. Her efforts saw her earn First Team All-State honors and a spot on the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Team where she led all scorers to bring home the Mississippi MVP award.
Read more about Carly Keats HERE.
Timya Thurman
C | Jr. | 6-5 | TR
Linden, Ala. | Linden HS | Auburn (2023-25)
A powerful presence in the post, Thurman arrives in Hattiesburg after two seasons at Auburn. The Linden, Ala., native played in 30 games off the bench for the Tigers, slowly earning more playing time in a stacked SEC rotation. Ahead of her senior campaign, she was one of the highest ranked front courters in the region.
"Timya provides much-needed length and will be a game changer in the paint for us," said Bilderback. "She has a great ability to run the floor and is physical on the low block area. Timya also provides versality with her ability to face up and go by defenders as well. She has a positive spirit, a hardworking mindset and a strong character that is all going to be a huge asset to our team. We are thrilled to add Timya and can't wait to see her in the Black and Gold."
Rated as the fourth-overall prospect in the 2023 class in Alabama, Thurman chose Auburn over the likes of Alabama, Florida, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Rutgers and many others. Even with her 6-foot, 5-inch frame, her skillset includes great versatility that allows her to play up and down the floor.
As a senior at Linden in 2022-23, she averaged a 25-point, 20-rebound double-double and led the Lady Patriots to the AHSAA Elite Eight, earning her third consecutive AWSA All-State First Team Honors. She was named as the Alabama Class 1A Player of the Year as a junior in 2022 and played in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game in 2023.
Read more about Timya Thurman HERE.
Keats previously played under Bilderback at Jones College before rising to the SEC ranks for two seasons. Thurman, a three-time All-State First Teamer and former Alabama Player of the Year originally signed with Auburn out of Linden High School as one of the top ranked post players in the region.
Carly Keats
PG | Sr. | 5-8 | TR
Philadelphia, Miss. | Neshoba Central HS | Jones College (2022-23) | Arkansas (2023-25)
Keats, an experienced sharp-shooting guard from Philadelphia, Miss., played in 59 games over two seasons under Arkansas head coach Mike Neighbors. She made 31 starts and averaged 6.5 points per game in her time with the Razorbacks. She originally signed with Arkansas after being recruited by former Lady Eagle and M-Club Hall of Famer Pauline Love.
"Carly has a unique feel of the game that includes a smoothness with her ball control and fantastic court vision," said Bilderback. "She is creative in her own shot making in the paint or in setting up others and has deep range with her three. She is a hard worker that brings quality SEC experience to our team. She leads by example every day with her toughness, work ethic and will to win. We are so excited to welcome Carly home to Southern Miss."
Prior to signing with the Hogs, Keats played one season of junior college ball at Jones College (Ellisville, Miss.) under Coach Bilderback. She was a member of the fab four lineup that helped the Bobcats to back-to-back NJCAA Tournament Elite Eight appearances. Her efforts in Ellisville saw her earn All-MACCC First Team honors as well as a spot on the All-NJCAA Region 23 Team.
She spent her prep years at the powerhouse Neshoba Central High School (Philadelphia, Miss.) playing under Coach Jason Broom. Prior to her senior year, she earned a spot on the Clarion-Ledger's Dandy Dozen squad. She lived up to the expectations after leading the Rockets to a perfect 33-0 record and the MHSAA Class 5A State Championship. Her efforts saw her earn First Team All-State honors and a spot on the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Team where she led all scorers to bring home the Mississippi MVP award.
Read more about Carly Keats HERE.
Timya Thurman
C | Jr. | 6-5 | TR
Linden, Ala. | Linden HS | Auburn (2023-25)
A powerful presence in the post, Thurman arrives in Hattiesburg after two seasons at Auburn. The Linden, Ala., native played in 30 games off the bench for the Tigers, slowly earning more playing time in a stacked SEC rotation. Ahead of her senior campaign, she was one of the highest ranked front courters in the region.
"Timya provides much-needed length and will be a game changer in the paint for us," said Bilderback. "She has a great ability to run the floor and is physical on the low block area. Timya also provides versality with her ability to face up and go by defenders as well. She has a positive spirit, a hardworking mindset and a strong character that is all going to be a huge asset to our team. We are thrilled to add Timya and can't wait to see her in the Black and Gold."
Rated as the fourth-overall prospect in the 2023 class in Alabama, Thurman chose Auburn over the likes of Alabama, Florida, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Rutgers and many others. Even with her 6-foot, 5-inch frame, her skillset includes great versatility that allows her to play up and down the floor.
As a senior at Linden in 2022-23, she averaged a 25-point, 20-rebound double-double and led the Lady Patriots to the AHSAA Elite Eight, earning her third consecutive AWSA All-State First Team Honors. She was named as the Alabama Class 1A Player of the Year as a junior in 2022 and played in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game in 2023.
Read more about Timya Thurman HERE.
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Players Mentioned
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