NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Belmont University women's basketball program and 10th-year head coach
Bart Brooks have signed Tayli Dimarco, Kira Juffermans, Nyla Johnson and Maddie Braden for the Bruins' 2027-28 season and beyond. Announced Saturday afternoon during the early signing period, Belmont's four newcomers will arrive in the Music City next summer. Both Dimarco and Juffermans hail from Australia, while Johnson and Braden are in-state signees.
"Our 2027 recruiting class is a testament to a lot of hard work by our coaching staff and players," spoke coach Brooks. "We are extremely excited to welcome these four amazingly talented young women into our program. They all have fantastic support from wonderful families, and I can't wait for these players and families to experience the warmth of the Belmont community as they join us next season as Bruins."
Dimarco is a 5-foot-5 point guard from Sale, Victoria, Australia (Catholic College Sale), while Juffermans is a 6-foot-2 forward from Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia (St. John Paul College). Johnson is a local 5-foot-9 guard from nearby Nolensville (Nolensville HS) and Braden is a 5-foot-10 guard from Knoxville (Christian Academy of Knoxville).
"After delaying her enrollment for a year due to injury, I'm beyond excited to welcome Tayli to Belmont to begin her career as a Bruin next season," said coach Brooks. "She has shown through her time competing in Australia how prepared she is to succeed in our system, and she is attacking her recovery with the same conviction and purpose that is on full display when she competes on the court. Tayli has already endeared herself to our program and current team with her resilience and positivity. Our fans will absolutely love cheering for her as a Belmont Bruin next year!"
A five-time national junior champion in Australia, Dimarco was named to the 2025 Victoria Under-20 State Team for the national championships. She was a key contributor for the 2025 Big V Youth Championship team, averaging 10.7 points, 4.3 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.95 steals per game. Throughout her junior career, Dimarco played for the Melbourne Tigers of the National Basketball League One South (NBL1 South) and the Geelong Venom of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL). During an incredible 2024 season, Dimarco helped lead the Melbourne Tigers' U18 team to the championships at the National Junior Classic, National Club Championship and Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL) Victorian Championship. Starring at the NBA Academy Games in Atlanta in 2023, Dimarco signed a development player contract with the WNBL's Geelong Venom.
Dimarco will be studying exercise science at Belmont.
"Kira is a fantastic addition to our front court for next season," commented coach Brooks. "Her size, competitiveness and versatility make her a perfect fit for our playing style. Kira has multiple ways she can score the ball, and she has shown an ability to defend at a high level against strong competition both in Australia and the U.S. Beyond basketball, Kira brings positivity and is a great teammate everywhere she goes. She is an amazing young lady who will represent Belmont well as she competes for us next year."
A national performance athlete, Juffermans is a four-time national champion with the New South Wales State Team and a School Sport Australia (SSA) All-Australian Team performer. Named 2025 Lauren Jackson Country Junior Female Player of the Year, Juffermans was selected to compete for a spot on the Australian U17 national team, which won the 2025 FIBA U17 Oceania Cup. The Coffs Harbour Suns standout was chosen for the prestigious 2025 Nike All-Asia Basketball Camp in Beijing, China, and is an NSW All Schools team regular. Playing for the Port Macquarie Dolphins in the Basketball NSW Waratah League, Juffermans earned a spot on the All-Star Five as a center and was tabbed 2026 Waratah League Defensive Player of the Year.
Juffermans and Dimarco teamed up together with AUSA Hoops, Australia's national AAU program, to win the 17U division at the 2025 Nike Tournament of Champions in Chicago.
"Nyla has been a part of our program as a Bruin Cub Camper for many years growing up, and I'm extremely excited she will now get to compete with our program during her college career," added coach Brooks. "Her mother, Devin, played at Belmont and it has been such a blessing to recruit Nyla and see her grow into an ultra-competitive and talented basketball player. Her relentless competitiveness is what separates her and will make an immediate impact on our program. Nyla's positivity and attitude will be a perfect example for our younger fans to model."
Starring at Nolensville High School, Johnson was named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) Class 4A All-State Team following her junior year and is a two-time
615 Preps Large Class All-Area selection. Reaching 1,000 career points this past January, Johnson led the Knights to a Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Class 4A District 11 championship in 2025-26. The combo guard was tabbed District 10-4A Tournament MVP as a freshman and has earned first-team all-district distinction in both Class 4A District 10 and District 11. Selected as both defensive player of the year and player of the year at Nolensville HS in her first two varsity years, Johnson was placed on the
Tennessean Large Class All-Midstate Third Team following her sophomore season.
In travel ball, Johnson plays for Team Brandan Wright and helped her 17U squad to a runner-up finish at the 2026 New Balance Lady P32 League National Championships in Chicago.
Nyla's mother, Devin (Poe), was a guard for the Bruins from 1997-2001.
"Maddie is a very talented player who has great versatility at the guard position," stated coach Brooks. "She is a dynamic scorer from multiple spots on the floor, and her size and athleticism will help her defend multiple positions as well. Maddie has great instincts on the court, and her willingness to serve her teammates makes her a perfect fit for our program. She has a competitive spirit and team-first approach that make her a winner everywhere she plays. We can't wait for our fans to experience Maddie's excellence at Belmont next year!"
A TSSAA Division II Class A Miss Basketball finalist following her sophomore campaign, Braden is a three-time TSWA All-State selection. Tabbed Division II-A District 1 MVP as a junior and Division II-A District 1 Tournament MVP as a freshman and sophomore, Braden is a three-time all-district performer. She was named to the Division II-A East Region All-Tournament Team her freshman year after leading Christian Academy of Knoxville to a region title. Braden has helped her Warriors to three district championships, two region titles and four-straight state quarterfinal appearances, including a spot in the state tournament semifinals back-to-back years.
In AAU, Braden competes for Alabama Southern Starz of the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL). She has aided her teams in winning major national tournaments such as the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Ladies Ball National Youth Championship and the Tennessee Miracle Classic.
Maddie's mother, Leah (Sharp), played basketball at the University of North Carolina where she was a starter and team captain before attaining her master's degree from Belmont.
This season, the Bruins feature two freshmen —
Samiya Jones (Memphis, Tenn.) and
Chelby Jordan (Trenton, Tenn.) — both Tennessee products who were signees a year ago.
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