A Fresh Face for the Lady Buffs
West Texas A&M head coach Josh Prock revealed that point guard Arissa Garcia will suit up for the Lady Buffs during the 2026‑27 season, filling a critical vacancy at the floor general position.
Garcia arrives after a two‑year stint that blended junior college success with Division I exposure, bringing a blend of size, skill and basketball IQ that Prock believes will elevate the team's tempo.
At Cal Poly she logged 68 points, 54 rebounds, 32 assists and 27 steals in just 21 appearances, shooting 40.8 percent from the field, 30.6 percent beyond the arc and 70.6 percent on free throws.
Her tenure at Murray State College was equally impressive; she helped the Aggies capture NJCAA Region Two regular‑season and tournament titles, ranked third nationally in assists with 190 and earned All‑Region honors.
Across both collegiate stops Garcia compiled 308 rebounds, 333 assists, 12 blocks and 138 steals, while maintaining a career field‑goal percentage of 40.8 and a three‑point clip of 30.6 percent.
MSC head coach Nate Levine praised the newcomer, describing her as a "high‑IQ competitor and a good human being" who will thrive in a nationally competitive program.
Before college, Garcia starred at Holmes High School in Texas, averaging 15.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game and surpassing the 1,000‑career point milestone.
She earned First Team All‑District honors in basketball, volleyball and softball, and was inducted into the National Honor Society, signaling a commitment to both athletics and academics.
Garcia plans to major in General Studies at West Texas A&M, continuing a tradition of scholarly achievement that the university values as highly as athletic performance.
She is the daughter of Ray and Jeanette Garcia, whose support has been a constant thread throughout her athletic journey.