KOKOMO, Ind. - The Indiana University Kokomo women's basketball program has announced its 2026 recruiting class, a group that features 10 student-athletes, including seven freshmen and three transfers.
The announcement comes as IU Kokomo officially begins preparations for the upcoming season, with the Cougars having taken the court Monday for their first official practice of the 2026-27 campaign.
IU Kokomo finished the 2025-26 season with a 12-14 record and earned a trip to the River States Conference Tournament quarterfinals for the first time since the 2019-20 season. The Cougars' postseason run came to an end with a narrow 56-49 road loss to Shawnee State.
Led by third-year head coach Lisa Pflueger, the Cougars will look to build on that progress in 2026-27 as they welcome a talented group of freshmen and experienced transfers to the program.
2026 Recruiting Class:
Ava Burkle | Guard/Forward | Rossville, Ind. | Rossville High School
Burkle joins the Cougars following a four-year basketball career at Rossville High School, where she also competed in volleyball for three seasons. The Rossville native earned four All-Conference selections in basketball and was a two-time Small School Second Team honoree. Burkle also received Franciscan Small School All-State Honorable Mention recognition in basketball and earned Academic All-State honors in volleyball.
Burkle plans on majoring in Radiography at IU Kokomo.
Arianna Gerkin | Guard/Forward | Vincennes, Ind. | Vincennes Lincoln High School | Southern Connecticut State University
Gerkin joins IU Kokomo after previously attending Southern Connecticut State University. The Vincennes native graduated from Vincennes Lincoln High School, where she earned four All-Area selections in both basketball and volleyball and was a First Team All-SIAC honoree in basketball. During her time at Southern Connecticut State, Gerkin earned Northeast-10 Academic Honors recognition and was named the conference's Rookie of the Week for Week 4.
Gerkin plans on majoring in Business Management at IU Kokomo.
MaKayla Hatcher | Guard/Forward | Westfield, Ind. | Westfield High School
Hatcher comes to IU Kokomo following a four-year basketball career at Westfield High School. The Westfield native earned First Team All-Hoosier Crossroads Conference honors and was named her team's Defensive Player of the Year. Hatcher also received an invitation to the Top 100 Workout during her high school career.
Hatcher plans on majoring in Nursing at IU Kokomo.
Akya Koenig | Guard/Forward | Fishers, Ind. | Fishers High School
Koenig joins the Cougars following a four-year basketball career at Fishers High School. The Fishers native earned IBCA Academic All-State Honorable Mention recognition for her accomplishments in the classroom. Koenig was also a member of the National Honor Society during her time at Fishers.
Koenig plans on majoring in History and Secondary Education at IU Kokomo.
Sophia Nguyen | Forward/Center | Indianapolis, Ind. | Southport High School | DePaul University
Nguyen joins IU Kokomo after previously attending DePaul University, where she competed in track & field. The Indianapolis native was a three-year varsity basketball letter winner and four-year track & field letter winner at Southport High School. Nguyen earned Academic All-State Honorable Mention recognition in basketball and qualified for the state championships in track & field. She was also a National Honor Society member and Honor Roll student, graduating summa cum laude.
Nguyen plans on majoring in Medical Imaging Technology at IU Kokomo.
Demi Page | Guard | Plainfield, Ill. | Plainfield South High School | Joliet Junior College
Page joins the Cougars after previously attending Joliet Junior College. The Plainfield, Illinois, native graduated from Plainfield South High School, where she competed in basketball for four years. Page served as a team captain at both the high school and collegiate levels and was named her team's Defensive Player of the Year during her senior season of high school.
Page plans on majoring in Marketing at IU Kokomo.
Raven Walls | Center | Indianapolis, Ind. | North Central High School
Walls comes to IU Kokomo following a four-year basketball and two-year volleyball career at North Central High School. The Indianapolis native participated in the Top 100 Showcase and competed in the North-South Tournament. Walls earned Queen of the Boards honors in consecutive seasons, receiving the recognition in both 2024-25 and 2025-26.
Walls plans on majoring in Business at IU Kokomo.
Madison Wethington | Guard | Danville, Ind. | Danville Community High School
Wethington joins the Cougars following a four-year basketball and track & field career at Danville Community High School. The Danville native earned First Team All-Conference recognition in basketball and was also selected to the All-County Team and All-Area West Region Team.
Wethington plans on majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in Digital Forensics at IU Kokomo.
Trinity Wilburn | Guard | Lafayette, Ind. | McCutcheon High School
Wilburn joins IU Kokomo after competing in basketball for two seasons at McCutcheon High School. The Lafayette native earned First Team All-Sagamore Conference recognition and helped her team advance to the semi-state round during her senior season. Wilburn also recorded a 560-point freshman campaign.
Wilburn plans on majoring in Hospitality and Tourism at IU Kokomo.
La'Ryiah Wyatt | Guard/Forward | Indianapolis, Ind. | Lawrence Central High School
Wyatt comes to IU Kokomo after competing in basketball for two seasons at Lawrence Central High School. The Indianapolis native also excelled academically, graduating with an Academic Honors diploma.
Wyatt plans on majoring in Health Science at IU Kokomo.
For the latest news, updates, and information on the IU Kokomo Cougars, fans can visit IUKCougars.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Cougar news by following @IUKAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
