University of Houston Athletics
Houston Women’s Basketball Adds NJCAA D1 Player of The Year Esmeralda Enriquez
4/21/2026 8:21:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Junior guard set to join Cougars for 2026-27 season
HOUSTON – The University of Women's Basketball program continues to add to its 2026-27 roster with the addition of Esmeralda Enriquez, the 2026 NJCAA D1 Player of the Year, Head Coach Matthew Mitchell announced Tuesday.
A 5-8 junior guard from Yakima, Wash., Enriquez led Eastern Arizona to its first NJCAA National Championship title and was named the 2026 NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Player of the Year.
She averaged a team-high 15.7 points per game while shooting 45.7% from the field, along with 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game during the 2025-26 season.
She averaged 18.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in the national tournament, including a team-high 16 points in the championship game, and was named the National Championship Tournament Most Valuable Player Award and received All-Tournament Team honors.
Enriquez earned NJCAA D1 First Team All-America honors and was selected for the ACCAC All-Region First Team.
Before transferring to Eastern Arizona, Enriquez attended North Idaho College during her freshman year, where she was named the Scenic West Athletic Conference Player of the Year. She averaged 18.2 points per game and shot 48.1% from the field in 27 games.
The Yakima, Wash., native is a graduate of Davis High School.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Women's Basketball by providing NIL opportunities, purchasing 2026-27 season tickets and joining Full Court Press, which provides support directly to Houston Women's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarWBB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarWBB or on the team's Instagram page at @UHCougarWBB.
A 5-8 junior guard from Yakima, Wash., Enriquez led Eastern Arizona to its first NJCAA National Championship title and was named the 2026 NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Player of the Year.
She averaged a team-high 15.7 points per game while shooting 45.7% from the field, along with 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game during the 2025-26 season.
She averaged 18.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in the national tournament, including a team-high 16 points in the championship game, and was named the National Championship Tournament Most Valuable Player Award and received All-Tournament Team honors.
Enriquez earned NJCAA D1 First Team All-America honors and was selected for the ACCAC All-Region First Team.
Before transferring to Eastern Arizona, Enriquez attended North Idaho College during her freshman year, where she was named the Scenic West Athletic Conference Player of the Year. She averaged 18.2 points per game and shot 48.1% from the field in 27 games.
The Yakima, Wash., native is a graduate of Davis High School.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Women's Basketball by providing NIL opportunities, purchasing 2026-27 season tickets and joining Full Court Press, which provides support directly to Houston Women's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarWBB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarWBB or on the team's Instagram page at @UHCougarWBB.
– UHCougars.com –
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