Morrow, GA — She's not a surprise — she's a rising force. When Eboni Clay was named to the 2025 SIAC Preseason All-Conference Second Team recently, it came as validation for a freshman season that already bore hallmarks of impact and promise. Now as a sophomore, Clay returns with experience, confidence, and a mindset sharpened for bigger challenges.

A 5-foot-6 guard out of Portland, Oregon, now majoring in Business at Allen, Clay's freshman-line statistics from 2024–25 was very impressive:

• 303 points over 27 games, averaging 11.2 PPG,
• 80 assists (2.98 per game),
• 56 steals, and playing 31.7 minutes per game, with shooting splits of .344 FG%, .261 3-PT%, and .782 FT%.  
• She hit a career-high 21 points vs. Spring Hill on December 14, 2024.  

In that same 2024–25 season, Clay had several standout games: vs. Benedict she poured in 17 points to lead Allen to a win.  And in a defining game at Fort Valley State, she pulled down six rebounds — a sign she's not afraid to mix it inside.  She's already shown she can score, facilitate, and defend.

 Media Day Moment — Handling Expectations

At SIAC Media Day during AU's press conference when asked by Allen's Sports Information Director how she plans to deal with the attention and expectations of being tipped as one of the conference's top guards, Clay answered with humility, fire, and clarity:

"That's a good question. I plan on continuing to be me — that's working hard and staying in the gym. I'll see if they can come up with a plan to stop me."

It's a simple mantra — be consistent, stay prepared — and it speaks to a player who has already earned respect from coaches around the league, not because of hype, but because of performance.

The Stakes Are Rising

With Coach Olivia Gaines returning a high-powered offense — one that led the SIAC last season with 70.5 PPG — Clay's role becomes more critical. Clay is expected to take another step forward with elevated usage, court vision, and leadership.

Clay doesn't want to be the surprise; she wants to be the standard.

Allen fans are watching. Coaches around the league are planning for her. This season, the story of Clay and the Lady Jackets won't be written in preseason predictions — it will be written game by game.