Texans sign grad transfer, former First Team All-RMAC guard Niki Van Wyk

STEPHENVILLE — The Texans bolstered their back court with the signing of a former First Team All-Conference guard, Tarleton State Women’s Basketball announced on Thursday.

The Texans have signed grad transfer Niki Van Wyk, who played four seasons for Black Hills State between 2019-23. Her best season came in 2022-23, where she earned First Team All-RMAC honors after averaging 12.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game in 31 contests (all starts).

“Niki gives us a player at the point guard position with maturity and experience,” head coach Bill Brock said. “Her work ethic and enthusiasm for the game will permeate throughout our squad as she leads by example with our younger players.”

Across 101 career games (53 starts) for the Yellow Jackets, she averaged 7.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in 24.4 minutes per game.

In 2022-23, Van Wyk was her team’s second leading scorer at 12.1 PPG, plus had the most assists (53) and the second most steals (36). She also led the team in three-point makes (65) shooting at a 34.9 percent clip. Her 65 three-point makes were fifth most in the RMAC. She powered Black Hills State to a 61-57 win in the NCAA DII Regionals opener with a game-high 17 points (5-10 FG, 3-6 3PT) and five assists. Altogether that year, she scored 20-plus points four times.

In 2020-21, Van Wyk and Black Hills State were RMAC champions. The Yellow Jackets went 72-38 (.655) across four seasons with Van Wyk.

The Appleton, Wisconsin, native, played her prep basketball at Appleton North High School. Her best season came her senior year, where she was First Team FVA All-Conference upon averaging 11.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists. In her two years prior, she helped Appleton North HS to a pair of state championships, including a perfect 28-0 campaign in 2016-17.

Van Wyk will pursue her MBA at Tarleton State University.

She is the fifth signing announced by the Texans this offseason. Van Wyk joins forward Alani Fluker, a transfer from San Jose State, guard Grace Booth, an incoming freshman from Glen Rose High School, guard Mar’Cyah “MiMi” Willis, an incoming freshman from La Vega High School, and wing Kyriana Jones, a transfer from Dodge City CC.