Zandreal Blakely came to South Georgia Technical College in 2008 as a walk-on player for the Lady Jets National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division 1 women’s basketball team under the leadership of Coach Brandon Harrell. Today she credits SGTC and what she learned here for much of her success.
The alumna from the Class of 2010 is looking back with pride on her time as a member of the first women’s Lady Jets basketball team to advance to a national tournament—an achievement reached in the program’s sixth year of competition. For her, the season was more than a milestone in school history; it was the launchpad for her athletic and academic journey as well as the foundation for her professional life.
“I came to South Georgia Tech as a walk-on player, but the following year, I earned a scholarship to play basketball,” said Blakely. “In 2010, I graduated with an associate degree in Marketing Management and I was honored to receive a championship ring after our team won the NJCAA Division I women’s conference championship and went on to win the region championship and advance to the national tournament for the first time in the history of the program.”
Hailing from Kathleen, Georgia, she arrived at SGTC wanting to play basketball and study marketing, all while experiencing college life for the very first time. What began as a walk‑on opportunity quickly evolved into something greater. Through hard work, perseverance, and a relentless competitive spirit, she earned a scholarship and became a key contributor to the team’s championship run.
She describes South Georgia Technical College as the best school she ever attended, crediting its supportive environment, close‑knit campus community, and strong academic foundation for shaping both her confidence and her future. Living on campus deepened her connection to the program and the college, creating memories she still carries with her today.
The Lady Jets’ historic national tournament appearance marked her first championship experience and her first trip to a national stage—moments she recalls as transformative. After completing her time with the Lady Jets, she continued her basketball career at Voorhees University (formerly Voorhees College, NAIA Division 1) in Denmark, South Carolina, taking with her the discipline, resilience, and leadership she developed during those groundbreaking seasons with the Lady Jets.
At Voorhees, Blakely helped her team win the conference championship and earned another championship ring. During her college years, she also became a proud member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She later transferred to the University of West Georgia.
She began her professional career working with Lids, where she worked her way up from an assistant store manger to the Store Manager working at the Charlotte Premium Outlets in Charlotte, NC. She returned to Georgia in 2022 for a reset and joined the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office as a Security Technician, assisting with inmate supervision. She was later promoted to Sheriff Processing Technician, where she booked inmates into the jail system. Three years later, she transitioned to another career.
Today, she is a Master Cosmetologist and Barber specializing in loc services, currently serving clients at Infinity Grooming Loft in Atlanta, Georgia. She currently resides in Covington, Georgia. She remains passionate about community involvement, mentorship, and continuing her growth in her craft and as a person. And in each of her careers, her foundation in marketing management has proved to be invaluable.
She had an opportunity recently to see South Georgia Technical College represented at the Benjamin E. Mays High School Brotherhood Summit. While there, she spoke positively about SGTC and shared how the college helped shape who and where she is today. She even had the opportunity to take photos and record a short message of encouragement about SGTC.
“I was super shocked to see SGTC at the 2026 Brotherhood Summit at Benjamin E. Mays high school and even more surprised to see my picture on the wall of fame on the slideshow that was playing on the display table there. I told my co-workers and they saw it. Everything happens for a reason and I am so glad I got to reconnect with the college,” added Blakely.
It has been over 15-years since she graduated from SGTC, but Blakely continues to celebrate the role SGTC and the Lady Jets played in her growth, recognizing that the program not only launched her athletic career but also laid the foundation for her success beyond the court.
Zandreal Blakely, number 22, is shown with then President Sparky Reeves and the 2010 Lady Jets after they qualified to advance to the NJCAA National Tournament for the first time in the history of the Lady Jets basketball program.