Top Academic All-America Women’s Basketball Honorees for 2025-26 Announced

The 2025-26 Academic All-America® women’s basketball teams are out, and they’re packed with some of the brightest student-athletes from NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA.

These awards shine a light on student-athletes who’ve managed to pull off impressive feats both in the classroom and on the court. Among the names that really stand out: TCU’s Olivia Miles and WVU’s Jordan Harrison, both recognized for making a serious impact in every arena they touch.

This blog takes a closer look at the awards, what these honorees have accomplished, and why their achievements matter.

Academic All-America® Team Members of the Year

The College Sports Communicators (CSC) just rolled out the 2025-26 Academic All-America® women’s basketball teams, spotlighting top student-athletes from all NCAA divisions and NAIA.

Four players earned the title of Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year in their respective divisions:

• Azzi Fudd from the University of Connecticut (Division I)
• Olivia Reed Thyne from Colorado Mesa University (Division II)
• Natalie Gricius from Carroll University (Division III)
• Macy Sievers from Dordt University (NAIA)

These student-athletes set a high bar, juggling academics and athletics with a level of skill that’s honestly tough to match.

Azzi Fudd: A Stellar Division I Performer

Azzi Fudd, a grad student from Arlington, Virginia, grabbed the Division I Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year honor.

She’s working toward a master’s in business administration with a 3.57 GPA and just went No. 1 overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft to the Dallas Wings. Fudd led the Huskies to a 38-1 season and an NCAA Final Four appearance. She was named the 2026 BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete of the Year, averaged 17.3 points per game, and knocked down a nation-leading 117 three-pointers.

Division II, III, and NAIA Honorees

Olivia Reed Thyne: Dominating Division II

Olivia Reed Thyne from Colorado Mesa University took home the Division II Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year award.

She’s got a 3.92 GPA in exercise science, led her team to a 37-2 record and the NCAA National Semifinal, and smashed the RMAC record books with 894 points and 457 rebounds. Thyne picked up both the RMAC and D2CCA South Central Region Player of the Year awards. Her career totals—2,490 points and 1,431 rebounds—are now the standard for her program and conference.

Natalie Gricius: Leading Division III

Natalie Gricius, a senior at Carroll University, earned the Division III Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year nod.

She’s rocking a 3.98 GPA in nursing and led her squad to a 23-6 record and the CCIW regular-season championship. Gricius was named CCIW Player of the Year and became her program’s first WBCA All-American. She set a single-season school record with 639 points, averaging 22.8 per game.

Macy Sievers: Shining in the NAIA

Macy Sievers from Dordt University is the NAIA Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year.

With a 3.88 GPA in education, Sievers led her team to a 34-3 record and an appearance in the NAIA National Championship game. She’s now a two-time NAIA National Player of the Year, led all NAIA players with 346 assists and 117 steals, and became the all-time NAIA assist leader—1,078 career assists is no joke.

Other Notable Honorees

Beyond the Team Members of the Year, a handful of other student-athletes got some well-deserved recognition:

• Olivia Miles from TCU, first team Division I, 3.75/3.65 GPA in Liberal Arts.
• Raegan Beers from the University of Oklahoma, repeat first team Division I, 3.54 GPA in Multidisciplinary Studies.
• Gianna Kneepkens from UCLA, first-round 2026 WNBA Draft pick and second team Division I, 4.00/3.92 GPA in Education.

It’s not easy to pull off those kinds of numbers in both arenas, but these athletes seem to have found a way.

Division II Standouts

Division II also had its share of academic stars:

• Kadyn Blanchard from Ferris State University, perfect 4.00 GPA in Healthcare Administration.
• Lydia Haack from Concordia-St. Paul, repeat selection, 3.98/4.00 GPA in Physical Therapy.
• Lili Wilken from The University of Alabama in Huntsville, 4.00 GPA in Chemistry.

They’ve managed to stay on top of their studies while making big contributions on the court. That’s a tough balance.

Impact and Significance

Being named an Academic All-America® honoree isn’t just about stats or grades—it’s about finding that tricky balance between school and sports. These athletes have pulled it off, setting a pretty inspiring example for the next wave of student-athletes.