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2025-26 Academic All-America® Teams and Honorees
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Fudd, Reed Thyne, Gricius and Sievers highlight 2025-26 Academic All-America® Women's Basketball teams
Four talented student-athletes lead 2025-26 Women's Basketball Academic All-America® teams as Team Members of the Year
Women's Basketball Release (NCAA, NAIA Divisions): PDF | doc
GREENWOOD, Indiana – College Sports Communicators (CSC) announced Wednesday the 2025-26 Academic All-America® women’s basketball teams for NCAA Division I-II-III and NAIA, headlined by, University of Connecticut’s
Azzi Fudd,
Olivia Reed Thyne from Colorado Mesa University, Carroll University’s
Natalie Gricius, and
Macy Sievers of Dordt University.
Fudd (Division I), Thyne (Division II), Gricius (Division III) and Siewers (NAIA) have each been named the Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year award winner for their respective divisions.
Fudd was the No. 1 overall draft selection by the Dallas Wings in the 2026 WNBA Draft Monday night. It marks the third time in the last four seasons that a Division I Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year was also the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft. Caitlin Clark (2023 and 2024) and Aliyah Boston (2021 and 2022) were named the Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year and drafted in 2024 and 2023, respectively, by the Indiana Fever.
Tennessee’s Candace Parker (2008, LA Sparks), UConn’s Maya Moore (2011, Minnesota Lynx) and Stanford’s Chiney Ogwumike (2014, Connecticut Sun) join Fudd, Clark and Boston as WNBA No. 1 selections and Academic All-America® Team Members of the Year.
TCU’s
Olivia Miles (Rd 1-2, Lynx), UCLA’s
Kiki Rice (Rd 1-6, Toronto Tempo) and
Gianna Kneepkens (Rd 1-15, Sun), Ohio State’s
Chance Gray (Rd 2-9, Valkyries) and Michigan State’s
Grace VanSlooten (Rd 3-39, Seattle Storm) were also selected in the 2026 WNBA Draft on Monday.
NCAA Division I
A graduated student from Arlington, Vrignia,
Azzi Fudd has been named the Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year for Division I. The guard carries a 3.57 GPA while pursuing a master’s degree in business administration after earning an undergraduate degree in communications with a 3.58 GPA. The No. 1 overall WNBA draft pick helped lead the Huskies to the NCAA Final Four and finishing the season 38-1. She was named the 2026 BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete of the Year after averaging 17.3 points per game. She led the nation with 117 three pointer’s and ranked fifth shooting 44.7% from long range. She also ranked 19th in the nation with 673 points and 98 steals to go along with 122 assists. She was a unanimous 2026 All-BIG EAST First Team selection and named to the 2026 BIG EAST All-Tournament Team and NCAA Fort Worth All-Region Team. Fudd was named to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-America Team in addition to being named a First Team All-American by the Associated Press and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. She was selected as a finalist for the Naismith Trophy, AAU Sullivan Award, Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, and the Wooden Award.
Three of the 15 members of the Academic All-America® Division I women’s basketball teams boast a perfect 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate work or graduate school. The five members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.63, with the entire Division I team holding a collective average GPA of 3.73.
Three student-athletes were repeat selections on the Academic All-America® Division I team in
Amaya Battle (University of Minnesota),
Raegan Beers (University of Oklahoma), and
Kiki Rice (UCLA). Beers earns her third Academic All-America® honor after being named to first team last season and a second team selection during the 2023-24 season.
| FIRST TEAM |
| Name |
School |
Yr. |
GPA |
Major |
| Raegan Beers (1)(5) |
University of Oklahoma |
Sr. |
3.54 |
Multidisciplinary Studies |
| Mikayla Blakes |
Vanderbilt University |
So. |
3.73 |
Medicine, Health & Society |
| Azzi Fudd |
University of Connecticut |
Gr. |
3.58/3.57 |
Business Administration (G) |
| Olivia Miles |
TCU |
Gr. |
3.75/3.65 |
Liberal Arts (G) |
| Sarah Strong |
University of Connecticut |
So. |
3.61 |
Undeclared |
| SECOND TEAM |
| Name |
School |
Yr. |
GPA |
Major |
| Amaya Battle (3) |
University of Minnesota |
Sr. |
3.72/3.75 |
Sport Management |
| Joyce Edwards |
University of South Carolina |
So. |
3.73 |
Environmental Science |
| Avery Koenen |
North Dakota State |
Jr. |
4.00 |
Physical Education |
| Gianna Kneepkens |
UCLA |
Gr. |
4.00/3.92 |
Education |
| Kiki Rice (1) |
UCLA |
Sr. |
3.69 |
Communication |
| THIRD TEAM |
| Name |
School |
Yr. |
GPA |
Major |
| Maggie Doogan |
University of Richmond |
Sr. |
3.66 |
Business Administration & Leadership Studies |
| Chance Gray |
Ohio State University |
Sr. |
3.57/3.65 |
Law (G) |
| Jenna Guyer |
Green Bay |
Sr. |
4.00/4.00 |
Human Biology |
| Jordan Harrison |
West Virginia University |
Sr. |
3.52 |
General Business |
| Grace VanSlooten |
Michigan State University |
Sr. |
3.77 |
Communication |
(1) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2024-25
(3) – 3rd team Academic All-America® in 2024-25
(5) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2023-24
NCAA Division II
Olivia Reed Thyne has been named the Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year for Division II. It is the third Academic All-America® honor of her career, being also named to the first team last season and a third team selection in 2024. The senior forward from Windsor, Colorado, carries a 3.92 GPA while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in exercise science. She led the Mavericks to the NCAA National Semifinal and a 37-2 record. She finished the year leading Division II with a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) record 894 points and 457 rebounds en route to being named the RMAC and Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) South Central Region Player of the Year. She was a consensus first team All-American by both the WBCA and D2CCA. Reed Thyne also ranked among the top-10 in Division II in rebounds per game (11.7), points per game (22.9), field goal percentage (62.5), three throws made (190), and blocks (69). She finished second in the nation with 24 double-doubles and added her first career triple-double. She capped her career with 2,490 points and 1,431 rebounds, both of which set program and conference records. She also became the first player in conference history to amass 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.
The Division II Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division II national governance structure to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2025-26 Division II Academic All-America® program.
Six of the 15 members of the Academic All-America® Division II women’s basketball teams sustain an unblemished 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate work or graduate school. The six members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.93, with the entire Division II team maintaining a collective average GPA of 3.86.
Three other student-athletes joined Reed Thyne as repeat selections on the Academic All-America® Division II team,
Lydia Haack (Concordia-St. Paul),
Mia Kalich (Seton Hill), and
Lili Wilken (The University of Alabama in Huntsville).
| FIRST TEAM |
| Name |
School |
Yr. |
GPA |
Major |
| Kadyn Blanchard |
Ferris State University |
Gr. |
4.00/4.00 |
Healthcare Administration (G) |
| Natalie Bremer |
Minnesota State |
Sr. |
3.64 |
Exercise Science |
| Asher Cai |
Central Washington University |
Sr. |
3.89 |
Exercise Science |
| Lydia Haack (3) |
Concordia-St. Paul |
Sr. |
3.98/4.00 |
Physical Therapy |
| Olivia Reed Thyne (1)(6) |
Colorado Mesa University |
Sr. |
3.92 |
Exercise Science |
| Lili Wilken (2) |
The University of Alabama in Huntsville |
Sr. |
4.00 |
Chemistry |
| SECOND TEAM |
| Name |
School |
Yr. |
GPA |
Major |
| Gabby Elliott |
Texas Woman's University |
Sr. |
3.90 |
Kinesiology |
| Taylor Hinkle |
Holy Family University |
Sr. |
3.91 |
Healthcare Administration & Management |
| Mia Kalich (2) |
Seton Hill |
Sr. |
4.00 |
Engineering Mathematics |
| Mara Rieder |
University of Missouri - St. Louis |
Jr. |
3.75 |
Physical Education |
| Abbie Smith |
Concord University |
Sr. |
3.80 |
Business Administration |
| THIRD TEAM |
| Name |
School |
Yr. |
GPA |
Major |
| MacKenzie Bisballe |
Grand Valley State |
So. |
3.70 |
General Business |
| Sydney Gomes |
Florida Southern College |
Sr. |
3.96 |
Sport Business Management |
| Mason Rowland |
Colorado Mesa University |
So. |
3.90 |
Accounting |
| Maeve St. John |
Northwood University |
Sr. |
3.56/3.50 |
Finance |
(1) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2024-25
(2) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2024-25
(3) – 3rd team Academic All-America® in 2024-25
(6) – 3rd team Academic All-America® in 2023-24
NCAA Division III
A forward from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin,
Natalie Gricius has been named the Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year for Division III. The senior holds a 3.98 GPA while majoring in nursing. She led the Pioneers to the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) regular-season championship and a 23-6 record. Gricius was named the CCIW Player of the Year and became the first WBCA All-American in program history. She was also selected to the D3hoops.com first team All-America after setting the single-season program record with 639 points. For the season, she averaged 22.8 points per game, which ranked third best in the nation for Division III, while her 55.6 field goal percentage ranked 14th. She scored in double figures in 27 of the 28 games she played in and scored 20 or more points 20 times. She was selected to play in the Women's Collegiate All-Star Game and was named a finalist for the Jostens Trophy.
The Division III Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division III national governance structure to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2025-26 Division III Academic All-America® program.
Two of the 15 members of the Academic All-America® Division III women’s basketball teams claim a perfect 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate work. The five members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.92, with the entire Division III team retaining a collective average GPA of 3.88.
Kaci Kranson (University of Scranton) is the lone repeat selection on the Academic All-America® Division III team having earned third team honors last year.
| FIRST TEAM |
| Name |
School |
Yr. |
GPA |
Major |
| Jaycie Christopher |
University of Southern Maine |
Sr. |
3.98 |
Organizational Leadership |
| Natalie Gricius |
Carroll University |
Sr. |
3.98 |
Nursing |
| Kaci Kranson (3) |
University of Scranton |
Sr. |
3.68 |
Criminal Justice |
| Macy Miller |
Ohio Wesleyan University |
Jr. |
3.99 |
Biology & Exercise Science |
| Samaree Perkins |
Capital University |
Sr. |
4.00/3.91 |
Law (G) |
| SECOND TEAM |
| Name |
School |
Yr. |
GPA |
Major |
| Brooke Batchelor |
New York University |
Jr. |
3.70 |
Sport Management |
| Liv Monturo |
Messiah University |
Gr. |
3.94/3.95 |
Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership |
| Kaeli Romanowski |
University of Scranton |
Sr. |
3.97 |
Finance |
| Ada Taute |
Denison University |
Jr. |
3.75 |
Economics |
| Sawyer White |
Illinois Wesleyan University |
Sr. |
3.95 |
Elementary Education |
| THIRD TEAM |
| Name |
School |
Yr. |
GPA |
Major |
| Abby Cooch |
Denison University |
Jr. |
3.53 |
Data Analytics |
| Macie Feldman |
Johns Hopkins University |
Sr. |
3.89 |
Neuroscience |
| Brianna Fitzgerald |
SUNY New Paltz |
Gr. |
3.83/3.83 |
Strategic Communications |
| Lexy Harris |
Washington University in St. Louis |
Jr. |
3.94 |
Finance |
| Abigail Snyder |
Southern Virginia University |
Sr. |
4.00 |
Business Mgmt. & Leadership & Sport Performance |
(3) – 3rd team Academic All-America® in 2024-25
NAIA
A senior guard from Storm Lake, Iowa,
Macy Sievers has been named the Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year for NAIA after also earning first team honors as season ago. She maintains a 3.88 GPA while pursuing her degree in education. She led the Defenders to a 34-3 record and the NAIA National Championship game for the third straight season. Sievers was recently named the NAIA national Player of the Year for the second straight season. She led all NAIA players with 346 assists and 117 steals and was second with 299 rebounds and 618 points. She was a First Team All-American for the third straight year after averaging 16.7 points per game with 8.1 rebounds, 9.4 assists, and 3.2 steals and shooting 43.9% from the field. She became the all-time NAIA assist leader with 1,078 for the career.
The NAIA Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NAIA national governance structure to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2025-26 NAIA Academic All-America® program.
Four of the 10 members of the Academic All-America® NAIA women’s basketball teams maintain an impeccable 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate work or graduate school. The six members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.96, with the entire NAIA team carrying a collective average GPA of 3.92.
Joining Sievers as a repeat selection on the Academic All-America® NAIA team is
Tabor Teel (Dakota State (S.D.), who earned second team honors a season ago.
| FIRST TEAM |
| Name |
School |
Yr. |
GPA |
Major |
| Gracie Schoonhoven |
Dordt University |
Jr. |
3.88 |
Nursing |
| Macy Sievers (1) |
Dordt University |
Sr. |
3.88 |
Education |
| Kelsie Siegner |
Eastern Oregon University |
Sr. |
4.00/4.00 |
Teaching (G) |
| Tabor Teel (2) |
Dakota State (S.D.) |
Sr. |
3.93 |
Business Marketing |
| Emily Till |
Arizona Christian University |
Sr. |
4.00 |
Behavioral Health |
| Abby Wolter |
St. Ambrose University |
Sr. |
4.00 |
Elementary Education |
| SECOND TEAM |
| Name |
School |
Yr. |
GPA |
Major |
| Avery Broughton |
Dakota Wesleyan University |
Jr. |
3.84 |
Nursing |
| Sitara Byrd |
Lewis-Clark State College |
Sr. |
3.99 |
Elementary Education |
| Grace Field |
Southeastern University |
Gr. |
3.82/4.00 |
Sport Management |
| Deniya Thornton |
Loyola University New Orleans |
Jr. |
3.66 |
Criminology |
(1) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2025-26
(2) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2025-26
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeff Schwartz, Retired, North Dakota State University | Academic All-America® Co-Director for Publicity
Schwartzy2@yahoo.com | (701) 793-0538
Brian Alden, University of South Carolina | Academic All-America® Coordinator of Publicity
aldenb@mailbox.sc.edu | (803) 777-1516