Gilbert Paying Early Dividends for the Aggies

Kailyn Gilbert, one of four SEC transfers to join the Aggies in the offseason, has helped the Aggie women’s basketball team race out to a 3-0 record this season.

With a fast start imperative for Texas A&M this November, the Aggies started the campaign with numerous hurdles. The Maroon & White entered the season without their top two scorers from 2025-26. They were also beginning the season with three players out with injuries and three on restricted minutes.

Gilbert, in her fifth collegiate season, filled much of the scoring production thus far. She is the only player in the nation averaging at least 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists per game.

“Kailyn is someone who has multiple roles,” head coach Joni Taylor said. “She’s a tone-setter for us. She’s someone who we’ve asked to carry a large load for us offensively. Kailyn runs our team and gets us in the right spots for our system.”

Gilbert embraces the challenge set forth by the Aggie coaching staff. She leads the team in total points (68), rebounds (28) and assists (21), one of only two players in the SEC to pace their squads in the three categories.

“My role on this team is to pass, score, defend – just help this team win,” Gilbert said. “Whatever it takes to win.”

The Tampa Bay native arrived in Aggieland after two years each at Arizona and LSU. Her most productive season was her sophomore year when she averaged 15.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists over 23 games with Arizona in 2023-24. The following year, her production was 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 37 games in her first SEC campaign at LSU where she was a key figure for the Tigers who advanced to the Elite Eight.

Looking to return to the NCAA Tournament after a two-year hiatus, the Aggies need her found their offensive powerhouse that has produced on some of the biggest stages throughout her career. The early dividends are looking good for the Maroon & White. She is averaging 22.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 7.0 assists.

While the season is in its infancy, the Aggies are pleased with the early assist numbers. The tally includes a season-best eight against LSU New Orleans along with seven against Louisiana. They account for two of the top three performances in her 100-game collegiate career.

“It’s very important for her to assert herself early,” Taylor said. “She has a great understanding of when she has to go get a bucket and when she should share the basketball.”

The improved assists numbers are part of a concerted effort by Gilbert who has been working tirelessly to become a facilitator.

“That’s why I came here, ultimately,” Gilbert said. “To show people I’m not just a scorer. I can get run this team and get people involved.”

Listed at 5-foot-8, Gilbert has also been a welcome addition on the boards. She pulled down 11 rebounds each in the Aggies’ first two games, making her the only Power 4 player under 6’0” to have two double-doubles in the opening week.

While Gilbert has been exceptional for the Aggies so far, she is getting back up to speed after not playing for nearly a year. She expects her production to improve as the season moves along.

“I feel like I’m still getting my flow back from not playing for a year,” Gilbert said. “It’s going to come. Eventually more shots are going to fall – those 3’s are going to fall. It’s going to be a completely different game for me.”

After an eight-day break, Gilbert and the Aggies face another series of three games in quick succession at Reed Arena. The stretch opens Monday (Nov. 16) with a 4 p.m. contest against Lamar, followed by games against East Texas A&M (Nov. 18) and UIW (Nov. 21). Tickets are available at 12thMan.com/tickets.

Off the court with KG 👍 https://t.co/6JwDe9oNG9

— Texas A&M Women's Basketball (@AggieWBB) November 8, 2026