CARROLLTON, Ga. - The UWG women's basketball team announced today two new additions as part of the Class of 2026, Kimya Jones and Kobi Barnes.
Jones, a 5-5 point guard and native of Carrollton, averages 10 points per game for the Trojans and was a First Team All-Region selection as a junior.
"I chose UWG because it was simply the best thing for me," said Jones, "They have a great program for my major and I have a chance to play Division I basketball."
"Mya Jones is as tough as they come. We've been watching Mya since her freshman year and the first time I watched her I didn't think she was a freshman," Reitz said of her future point guard. "She played with so much poise and she loves to compete! She's a tenacious on-ball defender, she takes charges, and she can score in a variety of ways including shooting the three. Even last year as a junior on a team full of seniors, she was a strong leader, positive voice, and difference-maker for her team. We're excited she's joining our team!"
Jones plans to major in psychology when she enrolls at UWG in the fall of 2026. She still has her senior season ahead of her at CHS, however, and that begins Saturday evening for the Trojans.
Barnes enters her senior season at Hebron Christian Academy averaging a double-double through three seasons with 21.1 and 13.1 rebounds per game. She also adds 1.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game while being a dynamic shot blocker by averaging nearly seven blocks per game.
"We got to see Kobi play for the first time in person at the GBCA event last year and offered her on the spot after she attended our Elite Camp in June," said Reitz. "The sky is the limit for Kobi with her size and athleticism and it's been fun to watch her skill set develop, but what set her apart for us was the type of teammate and person that she is. When she attended camp, she made her team better because of attitude and enthusiasm and those are the type of teammates that we want in our program."
Barnes brings an impressive resume as far as accolades as she was an All-Region selection as a freshman before being named the Region 6-AA Defensive Player of the Year and All-State Best Shot Blocker as a sophomore and junior.
The 6-3 forward's senior season began on Tuesday. Barnes is excited for the next step following her prep career.
"I chose the University of West Georgia to play basketball because it truly feels like a family. From the moment I stepped on campus, I could sense the strong relationships among the players and the genuine care the coaching staff shows for each student-athlete, not just on the court, but in every aspect of life," said Barnes. "Coach Jo and her staff emphasize personal growth, teamwork, and character just as much as athletic performance. I want to be at a place where there is a winning, competitive culture and West Georgia thrives in that."
Barnes plans to major in mass communications at UWG.
"Both Mya & Kobi embody what we're about in our program – strong character, motivated students, fierce competitors, and great teammates. We can't wait to have them on campus," concluded Reitz.
And while Jones and Barnes aren't set to debut on the hardwood until November of 2026, the Wolves are just two games into their 2025-26 season. The Wolves host Alabama State on Thursday, November 13 at p.m. in The Coliseum.
