Paige Niethammer Named NJCAA Third Team All-American

General Release: WBB All-American 
04/10/25 | Shaun Schetka

CEDAR BLUFF, VA — Southwest Virginia Community College is proud to announce that women’s basketball standout Paige Niethammer has been named a Third Team All-American by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) for the 2024–2025 season.

A sophomore forward out of Cocke County High School (TN), Niethammer cemented her place in SWCC history with a phenomenal final season in a Flying Eagles uniform. She averaged 21.1 points per game, leading NJCAA Region X Division II in scoring, and became the first women’s basketball player at SWCC to eclipse 1,000 career points.

Niethammer was equally dominant on the glass, pulling down an eye-popping 13.7 rebounds per game — not only leading Region X, but topping all of NJCAA Division II in rebounding. Her all-around performance earned her Region X Division II Player of the Year honors, solidifying her reputation as one of the most impactful two-way players in the country.

“Making the All-American team is a testament to Paige’s hard work, dedication, and talent,” said head coach Thad Lambert. “Her contributions to our program have been invaluable, and we’re extremely excited to see what she accomplishes next. This is a well-deserved honor for a great young lady.”

Niethammer will continue her athletic and academic career at Emory & Henry University, where she has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Wasps’ women’s basketball program in Fall 2025.

With this national honor, Niethammer becomes the third athlete in SWCC history to earn NJCAA All-American recognition, joining cross country standout Lauren Keene (2023, 2024) and men’s wrestler Austin Suess (2022).