S’Mya Nichols Repeats as Preseason All-Big 12 Selection, KU Picked 6th in Coaches Poll

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas junior guard S'Mya Nichols has been named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Women's Basketball team for the second consecutive season, while the Jayhawks are picked sixth in the preseason coaches' poll. The preseason team and poll, voted on by the conference coaches, were announced by the league office Thursday.

Nichols earned a unanimous spot on the 10-player preseason team following a stellar sophomore season that concluded with her receiving All-America Honorable Mention from the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). Now a two-time All-Big 12 First Team selection, Nichols led the Jayhawks and ranked fifth in the Big 12 in scoring at 18.6 points per game, while scoring in double figures 26 times in 30 games, with 16 games of scoring 20 or more points.

From Overland Park, Kansas, Nichols became the second-fastest player in program history to score 1,000 career points, doing so in 58 games. Through two seasons at KU, Nichols has started 63 games and scored 1,065 points, an average of 16.9 per game. Last season, Nichols shattered the single season school record for free throws made with 218, which ranked second in the nation and fifth in Big 12 history. She shot 83.8 percent (218-260) from the free throw line, 46.2 percent (156-338) from the field and 38.0 percent (27-71) from three-point range last season.

In addition to the preseason team, the Big 12 announced its 2025-26 preseason poll, which has the Jayhawks picked to finish sixth in the league this season. TCU is the preseason pick to win the league, receiving 10 first place votes and 219 points, followed by Iowa State, Baylor, Oklahoma State and West Virginia.

Led by Nichols, Kansas returns its top six scorers from last season, while adding one of the most highly ranked recruiting classes in school history. Other top returners include senior guard Elle Evans and sophomore forward Regan Williams. Evans earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention after averaging 14.4 points per game and hitting 69 three-pointers last season, while Williams was a Big 12 All-Freshman Team selection after scoring 9.0 points and leading KU with 4.9 rebounds per game. The Jayhawks also welcome the No. 7 recruiting class in the country, highlighted by five-star prospects Jaliya Davis and Keeley Parks.

Kansas begins the 2025-26 season with an exhibition contest against Fort Hays State on Oct. 29 before hosting Kansas City on Nov. 5 in the first of seven non-conference home games. Season tickets for the 2025-26 Kansas women's basketball season are on sale now. For as low as $110, fans can reserve their seat at Allen Fieldhouse for the upcoming season. To learn more about ticket options, fans are encouraged to visit KUAthletics.com or call 800-34-HAWKS.

S'Mya preseason All-Big 12

Preseason All-Big 12 Team
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, Baylor*
Bella Fontleroy, Baylor
Delaney Gibb, BYU*
Jade Masogayo, Colorado
Addy Brown, Iowa State
Audi Crooks, Iowa State*
S'Mya Nichols, Kansas*
Stailee Heard, Oklahoma State*
Olivia Miles, TCU*
Jordan Harrison, West Virginia
*indicates unanimous selection

Preseason Player of the Year
Audi Crooks, Iowa State

Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Olivia Miles, TCU

Preseason Freshman of the Year
Dee Alexander, Cincinnati

Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. TCU (10) – 219 points
2. Iowa State (2) – 202 points
3. Baylor (2) – 200 points
4. Oklahoma State (2) – 186 points
5. West Virginia – 161 points
6. Kansas – 156 points
7. Kansas State – 143 points
8. Utah – 115 points
9. Colorado – 114 points
10. BYU – 85 points
11. Arizona State – 84 points
12. Cincinnati – 82 points
13. Texas Tech – 63 points
14. Arizona – 47 points
15. Houston – 41 points
16. UCF – 22 points
(first-place votes)

University of Kansas Athletics

S’Mya Nichols Repeats as Preseason All-Big 12 Selection, KU Picked 6th in Coaches Poll

Players Mentioned

Jaliya Davis

Elle Evans

S'Mya Nichols

Keeley Parks

Regan Williams

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