WBCA announces 2025-26 Academic Top 25 Team Honor Rolls
Lady Wildcats Excel on the Court & in the Classroom
ATLANTA (July 21, 2026) – University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Mercy University, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Bethel University (Tennessee), and Trinity Valley Community College sit atop their respective divisions in the 2025-26 WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Rolls announced today by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.
The WBCA Academic Top 25 recognizes college women's basketball teams across the nation in their respective divisions that carry the highest combined GPAs inclusive of all student-athletes on their rosters for the entire season. A team must have a combined GPA of 3.0 or better and be nominated by its head coach who must be a member of the WBCA to be recognized. The 2025-26 season is the 31st in which the WBCA has compiled the honor rolls.
Green Bay, coached by Kayla Karius, finished first among NCAA Division I members for the second straight year with a 3.965 cumulative team grade-point average, which is also best overall across all membership divisions. Mercy, coached by Scott Lagas, claimed top academic honors in NCAA Division II with a 3.853 GPA. Nebraska Wesleyan, coached by Sydney Golladay, took top honors in NCAA Division III with a 3.897 GPA. Bethel, coached by Chris Nelson, was No. 1 in the NAIA division with a 3.829 GPA. Trinity Valley, coached by Precious Ivy, finished atop the two-year college standings with a 3.777 GPA.
"The WBCA is pleased to recognize those women's basketball programs that have committed themselves to excellence on the court and in the classroom," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "The 119 ranked teams we honor this year across all five collegiate membership divisions strive to achieve all-around success and we commend their efforts. Congratulations!"
Coach Nelson commented, "Our players have proven that you don't have to choose between being successful and being exceptional people. They continue to win on the court, excel in the classroom, and, most importantly, win with people. The proof is in the pudding, and this award is a testament to their commitment, character, and the culture they've created together."
Here is the 2025-26 WBCA Academic NAIA Top 25 Team Honor Rolls. The head coach listed for each institution was its head coach during the 2025-26 season. Teams that qualified for consideration in their respective divisions are listed as special mentions.
NAIA
|
Rank |
Institution |
Head Coach |
GPA |
|
1 |
Bethel (TN) |
Chris Nelson |
3.829 |
|
2 |
Hastings |
Jina Douglas |
3.811 |
|
3 |
Tabor |
Shawn Reed |
3.808 |
|
4 |
Southeastern |
Joshua Epperson |
3.800 |
|
5 |
Grace |
Dan Davis |
3.774 |
|
6 |
Grand View |
Jasmine Stohr |
3.746 |
|
7 |
John Brown |
Sydni Webb |
3.730 |
|
8 |
Lewis-Clark St. |
Caelyn Orlandi |
3.716 |
|
9 |
Indiana Tech |
Jessica Biggs |
3.712 |
|
10 |
Ottawa (KS) |
Hunter Bondurant |
3.695 |
|
11 |
Carroll |
Rachelle Sayers |
3.693 |
|
12 |
Taylor |
Cassie Wiseman |
3.678 |
|
13 |
Culver-Stockton |
Janette Burgin |
3.651 |
|
14 |
Indiana Kokomo |
Lisa Pflueger |
3.649 |
|
15 |
Wayland Baptist |
Jordan Vessels |
3.646 |
|
16 |
Providence (MT) |
William Himmelberg |
3.626 |
|
17 |
Embry-Riddle (AZ) |
Michael Trujillo |
3.616 |
|
18 |
Okla. Panhandle St. |
Maria Belt |
3.607 |
|
19 |
Central Methodist |
Dustyn Yung |
3.601 |
|
20 |
Northwestern (IA) |
Chris Yaw |
3.598 |
|
21 |
Southern Oregon |
Carlotta Kloppenburg-Pruitt |
3.587 |
|
22 |
Columbia Col. |
Matthew Moore |
3.576 |
|
23 |
Pikeville |
Clifton Williams |
3.452 |
|
24 |
Peru St. |
Mike Sybrant |
3.444 |
|
25 |
Truett McConnell |
Tiek Fields |
3.404 |
Special Mention: Hope International, Jessica Case, 3.352; Indiana East, Shawn Chaffin, 3.349; Our Lady of the Lake, Ryan Showman, 3.271; Shawnee St., DeWayne Burroughs, 3.122.