ODESSA, Texas (March 24, 2026) – Kenadi Rising, Jonesha Neal and Crystal Jones of The University of Texas Permian Basin women's basketball team were named to the 2025-26 Academic All-District® Team, selected by College Sports Communicators.

Kenadi Rising is a graduate student shooting guard from Rapid City, South Dakota. She is working on her Master's degree in kinesiology (3.67 GPA) at UTPB after graduating with her Bachelor's degree in psychology (3.72 GPA). Rising was named Third-Team All-Lone Star Conference and started in 28 of 29 games, making the most starts by a Falcon during the season. She led the team in scoring (10.7 ppg), rebounds (5.0 rpg), made field goals (115) and made 3-pointers (31). She shot 42.1 percent (115-273) from the field, 31.6 percent (31-98) from three and 83.3 percent (50-60) from the free throw line. Earlier this year, Rising was named to the 2025-26 LSC Preseason Players to Watch list and was named UTPB's Women's Student-Athlete of the Month for December. On January 8 at Oklahoma Christian University, she scored her 1,000th career point. She reached double-digit scoring in 18 games and pulled down 11 rebounds in two games. During Senior Day, Rising led all players by scoring a season-high 20 points and nearly helped lead the Falcons to an upset win over No. 23 Lubbock Christian University (60-56 loss). She ranked among the top-20 in the LSC in scoring and the top-25 in rebounding. Earlier in her career, Rising earned Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) First and Third-Team All-Conference honors while at Highland Community College (2021-23). Academically, Rising was named to the Fall 2025 LSC Commissioner's Honor Roll in her first semester at UTPB. She also earned Academic All-WAC honors at Abilene Christian University (2023-24) and earned NJCAA First-Team All-Academic honors while at Highland Community College (2021-23).

Jonesha Neal is a junior point guard from Spring, Texas. She is majoring in marketing (3.75 GPA). Neal played in all 29 games with 17 starts this season. She led the team in assists (2.7 apg) and made free throws (71), was third in rebounds (3.9 rpg) and steals (1.1 spg), and was fourth in scoring (6.7 ppg). She ranked among the top-six in the Lone Star Conference in total assists. She recorded a season-high seven assists (T12th most in the LSC) in two games this season. Neal's layup in the final two seconds lifted UTPB to a big regional win over the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, 70-68, in the Falcons' final game before Christmas Break. She tied the highest mark in the LSC this season with 17 free throw attempts in a 69-57 win at St. Edward's University (Feb. 14). Previously at Blinn College (2023-25), Neal named all-region and all-conference after finishing her second season averaging 11.5 points, six assists, four rebounds and 1.72 steals per contest. As a freshman, she helped lead Blinn to a Region XIV Tournament championship and a berth in the national tournament. After her sophomore season, she was honored as a Don Wilhelm Award winner, which goes to Blinn women's basketball's best player or players following each season. Academically, Neal was named to the Fall 2025 LSC Commissioner's Honor Roll in her first semester at UTPB.

Crystal Jones is a sophomore post player from Leander, Texas. She is majoring in human performance (3.50 GPA). Jones played in all 29 games with one start this season. She averaged 3.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, led the team with seven blocks, and shot 54.9 percent (39-71) from the field. Academically, Jones was named to the Fall 2025 LSC Commissioner's Honor Roll in her first semester at UTPB.

UTPB Head Women's Basketball Coach Rae Boothe said, "Kenadi, Jonesha and Crystal exemplify the qualities of dedicated student-athletes. Their academic achievements are a testament of their hard work and their ability to balance their responsibilities in the classroom and on the court."

The 2025-26 Academic All-District® Women's Basketball Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. To be eligible for CSC Academic All-District, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically, hold a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher and must be a standout in competition. Eligible nominees must compete in 90 percent of the institution's games played OR must start in at least 66 percent of the institution's games.

In addition, Rising was selected as a CSC Academic All-America® finalist. Finalists are denoted with an asterisk and will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced April 15, 2026.