Athens, Georgia, August 19, 2025
News Summary
Southwestern University has appointed Diamond Battles and Jordan Whitening as graduate assistants for its women’s basketball team. Battles, a former All-SEC player from the University of Georgia, and Whitening, a former guard at Georgia Southwestern State University, bring a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to the team’s development. As they pursue master’s degrees in Kinesiology, their contributions come at a crucial time for the Lady Bulldogs, who look to improve on last season’s performance and integrate new talent for the upcoming season.
Athens, Georgia – Southwestern University has officially welcomed Diamond Battles and Jordan Whitening as graduate assistants for its women’s basketball team. This announcement marks a significant step in bolstering the Lady Bulldogs’ coaching staff as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Battles, a former All-Southeastern Conference guard at the University of Georgia, brings valuable experience to the team. She played under head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson during the 2022-2023 season, where she distinguished herself as a key player. Battles transferred to Georgia after spending four years at the University of Central Florida and was recognized for her contributions to the team during her time at Georgia. She earned 2023 All-SEC Second-team honors and was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team, averaging 14.7 points per game and leading the team in scoring during the 2023 NCAA tournament.
Whitening, another newly appointed graduate assistant, previously played as a guard for the Georgia Southwestern State University Hurricanes from 2019 to 2023. He served as a manager for the Lady Bulldogs during the previous season, offering his support behind the scenes before stepping into this coaching role. Apart from his academic pursuits, Whitening is actively engaged in the community, mentoring youth through the PGC basketball training program, where he serves as a positive role model.
Both Battles and Whitening are currently pursuing master’s degrees in Kinesiology, aligning their academic interests with their coaching ambitions. Their appointments come at a crucial time for the Lady Bulldogs, who finished the previous season with a record of 13-19 overall and 4-12 in SEC play. The team managed to survive the first round of the SEC Tournament, defeating Arkansas 79-74 but were later eliminated by Oklahoma with a score of 70-52.
The upcoming season will see the Lady Bulldogs face new challenges, particularly with several key player departures. Guards like Asia Avinger, De’Mauri Flournoy, Summer and Indya Davis, and Fatima Diakhate have transferred to other programs, leaving the team in need of fresh talent. However, the coaching staff has welcomed new additions, such as Rylie Theuerkauf from Wake Forest, Dani Carnegie from Georgia Tech, Vera Ojenwa from Arkansas, Enjulina Gonzalez from Miami (OH), and Aicha Ndour from Wichita State.
The Lady Bulldogs have also unveiled their schedule for the 2025-26 season, with the first game set for November 3, and specific game times yet to be determined. This season is crucial not only for establishing team performance but also for integrating the newcomers into the dynamic of the existing team.
As the Georgia women’s basketball team prepares for their first game of the season, they look to build on the lessons from the previous year’s experiences. The team has shown improvement in defensive strategies but faced challenges with offensive output during critical games, including a notable struggle against Texas, where they only scored 26 points.
While looking forward to the upcoming season, the team prepares to honor its four seniors in their final home game against Auburn, scheduled for February 27 at 6 p.m.
Upcoming Season Outlook
- First Game: November 3, 2025
- Record Last Season: 13-19 Overall, 4-12 SEC
- Key Departures: Asia Avinger, De’Mauri Flournoy, Summer and Indya Davis, Fatima Diakhate
- New Additions: Rylie Theuerkauf, Dani Carnegie, Vera Ojenwa, Enjulina Gonzalez, Aicha Ndour
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the new graduate assistants for the Georgia women’s basketball team?
The new graduate assistants are Diamond Battles, a former All-SEC guard at Georgia, and Jordan Whitening, a former guard from Georgia Southwestern State University.
What accomplishments did Diamond Battles achieve during her college career?
Diamond Battles earned 2023 All-SEC Second-team honors and was a member of the SEC All-Defensive Team, averaging 14.7 points per game during the 2023 NCAA tournament run.
What was Georgia’s performance in the previous season?
Georgia finished last season with a record of 13-19 overall and 4-12 in SEC play, surviving the first round of the SEC Tournament but being eliminated in the second round by Oklahoma.
Key Features Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| New Graduate Assistants | Diamond Battles, Jordan Whitening |
| Battles’ Previous Clubs | University of Central Florida, University of Georgia |
| Whitening’s Community Involvement | Mentoring in PGC basketball training program |
| Upcoming Season Start Date | November 3, 2025 |
| 2024-2025 Season Record | 13-19 Overall, 4-12 SEC |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Georgia Bulldogs Official Site
- Online Athens
- UK Athletics
- The Red & Black
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Women’s Basketball
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