2024-25 Women's Basketball Roster
Roster
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/ Women's BasketballG
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/ Women's BasketballF/C
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
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/ Women's BasketballF/C
/ Women's Basketball
Jersey Number 15
Kaia Ponder
- Position:
- Forward
- Height:
- 6-0
- Class:
- Junior
- High School:
- Richardson HS
- Hometown:
- Dallas, Texas
Pronunciation:
2024-25 (Junior): Played in 25 games off the bench across the 2024-25 season … Averaged 1.3 points per game and 0.5 rebounds per game … Racked up eight points and two rebounds on 4-8 shooting from the floor against William Jewell … Registered a season-high nine points to go along with two rebounds and a steal against Westminster
2023-24 (Morgan State): Appeared in 29 games, starting in 10 … Averaged 4.6 points and 3.1 rebounds in 15.4 minutes per game … Started and posted double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, both season-highs, in season-opening win over Washington Adventist on Nov. 6 … Scored 10 points against Davidson on Nov. 18 … Went for 11 points and eight rebounds at Saint Francis on Dec. 2 … Scored 11 points at Stetson on Dec. 17 … Pulled down eight rebounds against South Carolina State on Mar. 2
2022-23 (Morgan State):Â Did not appear in a game
2021-22 (Morgan State): Appeared in 17 games, making two starts … Averaged 2.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per game … Made collegiate debut in Dec. 8 win over Loyola-Maryland … Scored seven points in Feb. 7 win over South Carolina State … Notched 10 points and seven rebounds against Howard on Feb. 19 … Went for 10 points and 10 rebounds in win over Delaware State on Feb. 26
High School: Played at Richardson HS, finishing her career with 1,302 points and 500 rebounds … Averaged 18.1 points and 8.4 rebounds as a senior … During senior year, was McDonalds All-American nominee, District 7-6A Offensive Player of the Year, RISD All-City MVP, team MVP, All-State Selection and District Champion … Averaged 16.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game as a junior … During junior year was First Team All-District 6A and All-City Offensive Player of the Year … Named to All-Tournament team in Dallas Mavericks Fall Classic and Stephen Curry Underrated Tour finalist … Played club ball for Drive Nation, DFW Elite and Lady Jets - Coaches Jason Terry and Zoderick GreenÂ
Personal: Born July 19, 2003 in Tulsa, Okla. to parents Willie Ponder and Tammy Hamilton … Father played football at SEMO and spent time in the NFL … Has five siblings: McKenzie, Willie, Willow, Emma and Columbus … Picked Kansas City ahead of Sam Houston and Queens University … Participated in Women's Sports Foundation Mentorship Program … Named to Dean's List each of first three years of college … Favorite TV show is The Family Business … Favorite food is seafood … Would like to live in Thailand … Intends to major in marketing
Why Kansas City?:Â "When I came on my official visit, the staff and players made me feel as if I had known them already. Everyone was welcoming and real about what UMKC had to offer. Coach Jackson and the staff made the effort to really understand what I was saying and looking for in my next home."
Women's Basketball Highlights vs. #2 South Dakota State
Thursday, March 05
Women's Basketball Highlights at St. Thomas
Wednesday, February 25
Women's Basketball Highlights vs. Oral Roberts
Saturday, February 21
Women's Basketball Highlights vs. Denver
Wednesday, February 18
