​NEWARK, NJ–NJIT head coach Mike Lane has announced the addition of transfer forward Ava Locklear who will join the Highlander program.

Locklear comes to NJIT after spending one season at Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) in 2024–25.

"NJIT women's basketball is excited to add Ava Locklear to our squad," said Lane. "We first met Ava when we recruited her as a high school prospect, so when we saw her pop on the transfer portal we jumped at the opportunity to bring her to Newark.  She is a tough cover! She can score at all 3 levels and is a relentless rebounder. She is a great addition to our post unit." 

Locklear completed the 2025-26 signing class and joined Addison Shen, Mia Gestosani and Lauren Lee.

As a freshman at SVSU, Locklear made an immediate impact in her freshman campaign, starting all 29 games.  She averaged 9.8ppg and 7.0rpg while shooting an efficient 48.7 percent from the field.  She scored a career-high 22 points on 11-of-15 shooting in a win over Tiffin on December 22, 2024 while posting seven double-digit rebounding performances, including a personal-best 13 rebounds at Davenport on February 20, 2025. 

A high school standout at Clear Creek Amana High School, Locklear led her team to three basketball conference titles and two in volleyball. She earned a State Championship 4A title (2024) in basketball and runner-up in volleyball in 2023. 

A three-time first-team All-Conference, All-District and All-Region selection, Locklear also earned All-State honors (2024), second-team (2023) and third-team (2022). 

A four-year member of the Honor Roll and Academic All-State honoree, Locklear intends to major in biology at NJIT.

"Ava is a Biology major with an eye on medical school so she is a great fit off the court as well for the Highlanders," added Lane.

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