Long Beach State signs Laney guard Ashanti Dias for 2026-27 season

Long Beach State added a proven backcourt creator when it signed Ashanti Dias for the 2026-27 season on June 30, bringing in a guard whose Laney College production was built on heavy usage, steady scoring and advanced playmaking. In 30 games for Laney, Dias started 24 times and averaged 15.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.9 steals while shooting 40.3 percent from the field.

That profile is exactly why Long Beach State went after her. Dias finished the Laney season with 476 points, 190 assists and 57 steals, numbers that point to a guard who did more than finish possessions. She created them. For a Long Beach State team that went 5-25 overall and 4-16 in Big West play last season, the addition of a player who can organize offense, generate steals and score at volume addresses a clear need in the backcourt.

The fit is not just about raw production, but about how Dias produced it. Long Beach State described her as a dynamic playmaker and leadership presence, and her Laney line supports that view. A 6.3-assist average from a 5-foot-1 guard is a strong indicator of decision-making under pressure, while the 1.9 steals per game show she could turn defense into offense. The question for 2026-27 is how quickly that production translates against the longer, faster guards she will see in Division I. Her assist totals and efficiency suggest she can help right away, but the adjustment to Big West physicality will determine whether she settles in as an immediate impact guard or grows into a bigger role over time.

Dias also brings experience from Cal State LA, where she appeared in 12 games in 2024-25 and logged 71 minutes before moving on to Laney. That path gives Long Beach State a guard who has already seen multiple levels of college basketball and understands how to adapt. The Beach is banking on that maturity as it tries to rebuild a roster that needs more ballhandling, more poise and more production in the open floor.

Her background adds another layer to the signing. Dias earned First Team All-League honors at Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco, where she became the first female to play varsity football at the school. That multi-sport résumé fits the type of toughness Long Beach State is trying to add, and it gives the program a guard whose identity has been shaped by production, versatility and an unusually competitive edge.