Women's Basketball | 3/11/2026 10:04:00 AM
GREENSBORO — Opponents tried everything they could.
Double teams. Triple teams. Entire game plans stacked against her. None of it kept Chaniya Clark from putting together one of the most impressive seasons in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) conference.
On Wednesday, the CAA rewarded Clark's resiliency and consistent dominance with first-team All-CAA postseason accolades. She also secured a spot on the conference's All-Defensive team. She made first-team All-CAA, adding to her legacy by becoming the second player in program history to earn first-team honors from the conference following former teammate Jordyn Dorsey's selections in 2024 and 2025.
In addition, versatile junior forward Paris Locke secured third-team All-CAA accolades. The 13 CAA head coaches vote on postseason honors.
Clark's all-defensive honor comes because of her ranking third in the conference in blocked shots (1.7 per game) and second in the conference in defensive rebounding (5.5 per game). She truly embodied the rim protector role, swatting three or more shots in eight different games and anchoring the defense with her presence in the paint.
"Chaniya has proven in all matchups to be the best post player in the CAA," said A&T head coach Tarrell Robinson. "She's also proven to be one of the most clutch performers. I'm glad to see that the rest of the CAA recognizes her value to our program. Her ability to stretch the floor with her shooting range is special."
Despite being the focal point of every opponent's scouting report, Clark averaged 13.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and an assist per game. She posted five double-double performances, including adding 16 points and 18 rebounds against CAA regular-season champion College of Charleston. Her clutch résumé grew in late February when she knocked down a Hail Mary 3-pointer to force overtime before swishing the game-winning three in triple overtime against Northeastern.
She followed that game with a career-high 26 points in an impressive road win at Monmouth. Most recently, Clark grabbed 12 rebounds in her Senior Day game against Charleston, making her just the
second player in program history to record more than 1,000 points and 800 rebounds in a career. She often credits her teammates for helping her find success, especially Locke, her longtime teammate.
Clark has shared the court with Locke for three seasons and faced similar defensive attention from opponents.
"Paris is a beast," Clark told Rob Knox's The IX publication. "I've never played with someone who can play one through four — she rebounds, shoots, drives, posts up. I'm super proud of her. From the time she got here to where she is now, I knew Paris was going to break records because of how good she is and how much her game has grown."
Locke took the depth of her game to another level in 2025-26. She averaged a career-high 34 minutes per game and played point guard, shooting guard, point forward, and power forward this season. She stuffed the stat sheet, averaging 11.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
Locke also recorded the first triple-double in program history with 22 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds in the triple overtime win against Northeastern, a performance that earned her CAA Co-Player of the Week honors. Her last assist was to Clark on the game-winning shot. Even though the game went into three overtimes, Locke locked up her triple-double in regulation.
"Paris's versatility has been so valuable to us," said Robinson. "Her triple-double this season is an example of how dynamic of a player she is. She can literally play any position on the floor. I'm happy her ability has been recognized by the CAA."
The Aggies aren't done yet.
Clark and Locke will look to lead A&T through the 2026 CAA Credit Union 1 Women's Basketball Championship Tournament, starting with a Thursday rematch against William & Mary at CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C. The Pride eliminated the Aggies from the conference tournament last season.
