The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) recently unveiled its Academic Top 25 for the 2025‑26 season, a list that spotlights collegiate programs that excel both on the court and in the classroom.
South Dakota State’s women’s basketball team earned the ninth spot on that roster, posting a collective grade point average of 3.762. The figure represents the second‑highest cumulative GPA the program has recorded since entering Division I competition.
A Tradition of Academic Recognition
Since the Jackrabbits moved to Division I in the 2004‑05 campaign, the university has appeared on the WBCA Academic Top 25 nineteen times. The program’s academic peak arrived in 2022, when the team posted a 3.837 GPA that topped the nation for women’s basketball programs.
The latest ranking underscores a sustained commitment to student‑athlete development, a priority that aligns with the mission of the WBCA, which administers the honor roll to promote excellence both on the hardwood and in the classroom.
While the team’s on‑court ambitions remain forward‑looking, the academic accolade serves as a reminder that success in college athletics can be measured in many dimensions, from win‑loss records to the scholarly outcomes of its participants.