Charlotte, N.C. - Kaiya Bond has signed with Johnson & Wales Charlotte women's basketball, becoming the second member of the Wildcats' 2026 recruiting class.

Bond is a 5'8" forward who played the last two seasons at Lake Norman High School. She was a key contributor on a Wildcats team that won the 2025 NCHSAA 4A State Championship, and went 54-3 during her two years. She averaged 10.6 points, and a team-high 5.5 rebounds per game in her senior season. She plays club basketball for Charlotte Monarchs.

Bond is the daughter of Lashana and Earnest Bond and plans to major in Business Administration at Johnson & Wales. When asked why she chose to become a Wildcat, she replied, "I chose JWU because the culture can feel more like family. Coashes tend to invest in you personally, not just as a player."

Coach Hampton feels that Bond's combination of athletic gifts and intangibles make her a key addition. "We're excited to add Kaiya to our program. Her length, speed, and defensive intensity immediately stand out and allow her to impact the game in a variety of ways. She has the ability to disrupt the game defensively and create energy for her team. Coming from a winning program, she brings a competitive mindset and understands the standard of effort and accountability it takes to be successful."