Grand Valley State will open the season searching for a repeat title run in DII women's basketball. When they do, star forward MacKenzie Bisballe will be leading the way, just as she did in the national championship game.
DII WBB 2025: Guards to watch
DII women's basketball is very much a guard's game. Big shots, stout defense and big scorers are key to racking up wins. That is why having a talented and experienced big in the paint is so pivotal. Whether they are putting up points, cleaning the glass or defending the rim, these bigs give each of their teams an edge.
9 returning forwards to watch in 2025-26
Olivia Reed, Colorado Mesa
Reed is a no brainer. The 6-foot forward has played three seasons for the Mavericks, and she’s won the RMAC freshman of the year in 2023 to go with back-to-back RMAC player of the year awards in 2024 and 2025. She was sixth in DII in scoring with 22.1 points per game, 11th in DII in rebounding with 10.9 rebounds per game, fourth in DII with 19 double doubles, and eighth in DII shooting 57.1 percent from the floor. The few Colorado Mesa records she doesn’t hold, she’ll likely break this season. Reed is as good as it gets in DII and the simple fact that she’s back makes the Mavericks a RMAC contender.
MacKenzie Bisballe, Grand Valley State
The Lakers are the defending champs, and their star sophomore was a key player in nabbing that trophy. Bisballe was arguably the best first option off the bench in all DII, appearing in all 40 games for the Lakers. She averaged 10.3 points and 4.5 rebounds a game in fewer than 18 minutes a night. She led the GLIAC in blocks and was a steady defender as well. She led the Lakers in both points and steals in the national championship game victory. Oh, by the way, she did it all as a "rookie," earning her GLIAC freshman of the year honors. We may be just getting started on watching what Bisballe is capable of doing.
Audrey Swanson, Southwest Minnesota State
It was a historic season for the Mustangs who returned to the tournament for the first time since 2002 and then won their first tournament game since that same season. Swanson, who broke out last year after playing sparingly in her first two seasons with the Mustangs, was a big reason why. In her first year as a full-time starter, the 5-foot-11 forward, contributed 16.2 points and a team-high 9.6 rebounds per game. She formed a dynamic duo with NSIC and the D2CCA national player of the year Bri Stoltzman, who has since graduated. That means it may be the Swanson show, which means we may see even bigger numbers this season.
Taejhuan Hill, Adams State
Hill was a freshman sensation for the Grizzlies last year. In fact, there weren’t many freshmen who had a better all-around season than Hill. She was a double-double machine, averaging 13.7 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Hill was the only freshman in the top 10 of double doubles last season, recording 17. She caught fire on Jan. 25, reeling off 11 double doubles in a row. Listed at 6-foot, she earned a spot on the preseason All-RMAC team. Expectations are high for the sophomore season.
Abbie Smith, Concord
Smith has been a steady force for the Mountain Lions since she stepped on the court in the 2022-23 season. Last year was her best so far, as she set career highs in points (17.4 per game), rebounds (10.7 per game), free-throw percentage (80.5), assists (28) and steals (25). She was top 10 in DII with 17 double doubles and scored her 1,000th-career point last season. She’s been as steady as it comes for Concord.
Nyshae' Weaver, Indiana (PA)
Staying in the PSAC, IUP’s 6-foot forward was another menace to opponents down low. She tied with Kalich for the third-most double doubles in the conference with 15. For the second season in a row, she averaged double figures in both points and rebounds, positing 14.8 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, a top 10 mark in all DII. Her 64.1 percent field-goal shooting was the second-highest mark in the division, earning Weaver All-Region honors a year ago.
Mia Kalich, Seton Hill
Kalich had a solid freshman campaign in 2023-24, coming off the bench to average 6.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. When she became a full-time starter in her sophomore season last year, she blew up, becoming one of DII’s double-double nightmares in the paint. On the season, she averaged 12.1 points per game on an impressive 63.4 percent shooting, which would have been a top 5 mark in DII last year had she scored two more baskets and qualified. She was also in the top 20 of DII in double doubles with 15. Kalich also led the Griffins in assists (92) and steals (121) and her 3.9 per game were third-most in DII.
Nkiru Awaka, Queens (NY)
There was no sophomore slump for Awaka who was even better that her 2023-24 ECC rookie-of-the-year campaign. She averaged 13.6 points per game while shooting 57 percent from the floor, tied for ninth-best in DII. She led DII with 6.6 offensive rebounds per game, which tied for the most in all college basketball. Her 11.2 rebounds per game were the ninth most in DII. She may not get a lot of press playing for Queens, but she shouldn't be overlooked.
Baylie Parks, McKendree
Parks broke out in a big way last year. After averaging a mere 2.6 points per game in her freshman season, she exploded onto the GLVC scene. She led the conference in scoring and rebounding with 18.9 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. Parks also averaged just about two steals per game. She reached double figures in scoring in every game she played and closed the season with seven-straight double doubles. Expect another leap forward for Parks in 2026.
Three centers to know
There aren’t many true centers at the DII women’s basketball level, but there are certainly a few that leave their mark. Washburn’s Yiibari Nwidadah was strong last year, scoring 16.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game while shooting 62.6 percent from the floor. Madeline Evans of Lock Haven was another nightly double-double threat, averaging 11.5 points and 10.2 boards per game. Tusculum’s Ni'Kiah Chesterfield also had a big season last year, averaging 18.6 points per game. All three are back and will continue to be a big presence in the paint.
One more to watch
Last week, I posted the top returning guards to watch in DII women's basketball. Omitted from that list was guard Caroline Martin from North Georgia, who is officially returning for her fifth season. Martin isn't simply one of the top returning guards in DII, she is a national player of the year candidate. Over her four-year career, she has been as consistent as it comes, averaging 15.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game and is the reigning PBC player of the year.