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WBCA announces 2025-26 Academic Top 25 Team Honor Rolls

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.