ATLANTA (March 25, 2026) –The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced today the NCAA Division II award winners for the 2025-26 season.
Coach of the Year
Mike Williams of Grand Valley State University is the 2026 WBCA NCAA Division II Coach of the Year. It is Williams’ second consecutive WBCA Coach of the Year honor. Williams will receive the Pat Summitt Trophy, named for the late legendary University of Tennessee coach and awarded annually to the coaches of the year in each of the WBCA’s membership divisions.
“The WBCA is pleased to announce Mike Williams as the 2026 recipient of the Pat Summitt Trophy presented to the WBCA NCAA Division II Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle M. Donehew. “Mike was chosen for this honor by his peers after leading his team to an outstanding season. We congratulate Mike on his success.”
Here are the finalists for WBCA NCAA Division II Coach of the Year:
| Name | Institution | |
| Carolyn White | Bentley University | |
| Tierra Terry | Winston-Salem State University | |
| Emry Tsitouris | Lenoir-Rhyne University | |
| Mike Williams | Grand Valley State University | |
| Eric Jackson Jr. | Edward Waters University | |
| Beth Jillson | Texas Woman’s University | |
| Emilee Thiesse | Minnesota State University, Mankato | |
| Danelle Bishop | California State Polytechnic University, Pomona | |
Player of the Year
Natalie Bremer of Minnesota State University, Mankato, is the 2026 WBCA NCAA Division II Player of the Year. She headlines the 2026 WBCA NCAA Division II Coaches’ All-America team.
“The WBCA is proud to Natalie Bremer as the 2026 WBCA NCAA Division II Player of the Year,” said Donehew. “Natalie is most deserving of this distinguished honor. The WBCA family of coaches congratulates Natalie on her hard work, dedication and exceptional play during the 2025-26 season.”
Coaches’ All-America
Here are the 2026 WBCA NCAA Division II Coaches’ All-Americans:
| Name | Institution |
| Natalie Bremer | Minnesota State University, Mankato |
| Asher Cai | Central Washington University |
| Taylor Hinkle | Holy Family University |
| Olivia Lee | Union University |
| Sydney Nelson | California State Polytechnic University, Pomona |
| Olivia Reed Thyne | Colorado Mesa University |
| Reese Schaaf | University of Central Missouri |
| Paige VanStee | Grand Valley State University |
| Talexa Weeter | Fort Hays State University |
| Lili Wilken | University of Alabama in Huntsville |
“We applaud the members of the 2026 WBCA NCAA Division II Coaches’ All-America team,” said Donehew. “Each of these young women has achieved an elite level of play in NCAA Division II and by doing so has increased public awareness of the women’s game.”
Here are the student-athletes who received 2026 WBCA NCAA Division II Coaches’ All-America honorable mention:
| Name | Institution |
| Nevaeh Asiasi | California State University, Los Angeles |
| Kennedy Chappell | Lubbock Christian University |
| Bri Claxon | Gannon University |
| Kamil Collier | Lincoln Memorial University |
| Kiara Croskey | Francis Marion University |
| Emma Egan | Eckerd College |
| Aaliyah El | Lenoir-Rhyne University |
| Gabby Elliott | Texas Woman’s University |
| Madeline Evans | Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania |
| Tatum Forbes | Saint Anselm College |
| Sydney Gomes | Florida Southern College |
| Olivia Hodges | Western Washington University |
| Mia Kalich | Seton Hill University |
| Erin Kaufman | Malone University |
| Bergan Kinnebrew | University of Mary |
| Averee Kleinhans | Texas Woman’s University |
| Ieva Korzane | Eckerd College |
| Grace Lesko | Mercy University |
| Brooke Loewe | Fort Hays State University |
| Amyah Moore-Allen | University of Colorado Colorado Springs |
| Niya Morgen | Bentley University |
| Caroline Mullins | University of Virginia College at Wise |
| Izzy Navarro | Point Loma Nazarene University |
| Mara Rieder | University of Missouri-St. Louis |
| Abbie Smith | Concord University |
| Maeve St. John | Northwood University |
| Rheyna Steinauer | Southern Connecticut State University |
| Taylor Thompson | Wayne State University |
| Shawnteanna Tillman | Coker University |
| Nyshae’ Weaver | Indiana University of Pennsylvania |
The WBCA NCAA Division II Coach of the Year, Player of the Year and Coaches’ All-America team are selected by the WBCA NCAA Division II Awards Committee from coaches and student-athletes who are nominated by WBCA member coaches.
Visit https://wbca.org/awards/coach-of-the-year/ to see a list of past recipients of the WBCA NCAA Division II Coach of the Year award. Visit https://wbca.org/player-awards/ to see lists of past WBCA NCAA Division II Player of the Year and WBCA NCAA Division II Coaches’ All-America honorees.
About the WBCA
The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women’s and girls’ basketball at all levels of competition. Founded in 1981, the WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit WBCA.org for more details about the association.
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