Veteran Cowgirl Chamberlin Comes Full Circle at McNeese

After transfers and injuries, senior guard Kaili Chamberlin returns to where she started to chase a championship.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Kaili Chamberlin, a senior guard, is finishing her college basketball career at McNeese, the same program where she began as a highly touted freshman recruit. After transferring to other schools and dealing with injuries, Chamberlin has returned to McNeese, which is now a championship contender in the Southland Conference. She hopes to lead the Cowgirls to their first NCAA Tournament berth.

Why it matters

Chamberlin's journey highlights the challenges student-athletes can face in college sports, with transfers, injuries, and program changes. Her return to McNeese provides a feel-good story of perseverance and an opportunity to cap her career on a high note by helping the Cowgirls achieve their first NCAA Tournament appearance.

The details

Chamberlin was McNeese's top recruit when she arrived as a freshman in 2022, helping the team improve from 18-62 over the previous three seasons to 13-15 in her debut campaign. However, her scoring dipped as a sophomore, and she transferred to Austin Peay, where she played just two games due to injury. She then moved to Southeastern Louisiana, winning a Southland Conference title, before deciding to return to McNeese for her final season of eligibility.

  • Chamberlin arrived at McNeese as a freshman in 2022.
  • As a freshman, she led McNeese in scoring at 11 points per game and was named Southland Conference and Louisiana Freshman of the Year.
  • Chamberlin's scoring dropped to 8.6 points per game as a sophomore, and McNeese fell to 12-19.
  • Chamberlin transferred to Austin Peay for the 2024-25 season, playing in just two games due to injury.
  • In 2025-26, Chamberlin transferred to Southeastern Louisiana, helping the team win a Southland Conference title.

The players

Kaili Chamberlin

A senior guard who is finishing her college basketball career at McNeese, the same program where she began as a highly touted freshman recruit.

Lynn Kennedy

The head coach at McNeese who recruited Chamberlin as his first big freshman signee.

Ayla Guzzardo

The current head coach at McNeese, who previously coached Chamberlin at Southeastern Louisiana.

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What they’re saying

“It's kind of crazy. It's a full circle moment. It feels super good to be back, especially in this environment. I'm just glad to be back.”

— Kaili Chamberlin (americanpress.com)

“She is capable of getting really hot and hitting big shots. Kaili also brings a lot of experience with her. She has been through good and bad times and understands what it takes to win.”

— Ayla Guzzardo, Head Coach, McNeese (americanpress.com)

What’s next

The Cowgirls are the clear favorites to win the Southland Conference title and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Chamberlin and her teammates will look to cap her career by leading McNeese to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.

The takeaway

Chamberlin's journey is a testament to the resilience and determination required to succeed in college athletics. Her return to McNeese provides a heartwarming conclusion to her collegiate career, as she aims to help the program reach new heights and achieve its first NCAA Tournament berth.