Content provided by UNLV Athletics.
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – UNLV women’s basketball has signed three new Lady Rebels for the 2025-26 season, head coach Lindy La Rocque announced today.
The trio – Trystan James, Hodaya Kabada and Alexis Swillis marks the fourth recruiting class for La Rocque. Additionally, Kabada marks the first international signee for La Rocque and her staff.
“The common thread with our whole class of 2025 is that they are winners! They have all won championships at their respective levels and they will add that competitiveness to our established championship culture,” said La Rocque. “They are incredible young women from supportive families that want to be a part of something great here at UNLV.
“We couldn’t be more excited to get them here!”
Trystan James | 5-10 | Forward | Duncanville HS | Monroe, La.
James is a 5-foot-10 forward who most recently helped Duncanville (Dallas, Texas) High School to a Texas 6A State Championship during the 2023-24 season. With the Pantherettes, in their championship season, she averaged 4.7 rebounds per game and 4.2 points per game, which led to All-District second team honors. During her freshman campaign, James was named to the All-District first team. Outside of her high school basketball career, James played basketball with the Lady Deive Nation Nike EYBL and is one of the top-15 rebounders. In August, she was invited to play in the 2024 Mamba Invitational in Los Angeles which is a two-day basketball tournament created by Nike with the most elite high school boys and girls from across the nation.
La Rocque: “Trystan is a versatile forward that creates mismatches on both sides of the floor. She has the power to play inside, but also the skills to shoot on the perimeter and attack the basket. She is a tremendous rebounder and plays defense with an intensity that is contagious.”
Hodaya Kabada | 5-10 | Guard | Hapoel Holon | Holon, Israel
Kabada, a 5-foot-10 guard is the 2024 Israeli League Young Breakout player and comes to UNLV with international and professional experience. She played in the Eurocup as well as the Pro League in Israel. Kabada has been a part of the Israel National team since the 2021-22 season, playing for Israel U16, Israel U18 and currently the Israel U20 team. In the Pro League, Kabada is currently in season with Hapoel Lev Jerusalem. Last season with Hapoel Lev Jerusalem, Kabada averaged 9.6 points per game, 3.1 rebounds per game, 1.2 steals per game and 1.1 blocks per game and helped win the 2024 Israel State Cup championship.
La Rocque: “Our program has a rich history of international players and we are excited to add to that with the first international signee for our staff in Hodaya. Hodaya is an experienced player having played on her Israeli national team and still currently plays in the Israeli professional league. She is a scoring guard with great size and an elite ability to shoot the ball. We are thrilled to add her to our Lady Rebel family and make Las Vegas her home away from home.”
Alexis Swillis | 6-3 | Center | Clovis West HS | Fresno, Calif.
Swillis is a 6-foot–3 center from Fresno, Calif., who was named 2023 CMAC League Co-MVP, CMAC first team selection and has earned All-State Sophomore and Freshman team honors. She has been a part of multiple championships which include back-to-back CMC Championships, back-to-back D1 CIF Valley Championships and the most recent of the 2024 TRAC Championships. Through her high school career, she has averaged nearly a double-double every season including 10 points per game and 8.6 rebounds per game her freshman year, 11 points per game and 9.0 points per game her sophomore season and 12 points per game and 10 rebounds per game her junior year. She has lettered four years in basketball and will graduate from Clovis West in 2025.
La Rocque: “We first started recruiting Alexis as an 8th grader and it is wild how quickly time flies. We have seen firsthand her growth and development as a young player and we are excited to continue on that journey with her. Alexis is a true center with physicality and skills on the interior that fit seamlessly into our style of play.”
Copyright 2024 KVVU. All rights reserved.
