Irvine Valley women's standout sophomore basketball player Kivonni Wiliams has committed to NCAA Division II Barton State in Wilson, N.C.
Williams was a star at Irvine Valley for two straight years, and especially this past season.
The 5-8 wing and forward out of Oak Hills High played in 54 games at Irvine Valley over her two-year career and started a special 39 games for the Lasers this past season.
Irvine Valley finished the year being ranked No. 7 in the state in the final California Community College Women's Basketball Coaches Association State Top 25 poll of the year after winning the Orange Empire Conference and then rolling through the 3C2A So. Ca. Regional Playoffs before reaching the state championhip tournament.
Williams was named first team all-OEC and selected as the conference's defensive player for the 2025-26 season.
She played in 31 contests and started 29 games this past year.
Williams averaged 9.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.8 steals this past season, while defending opponent's best front court and wing players for most of the season.
Wiliams scored in double figures in 16 contests, recorded eight steals against El Camino and ended with at least seven rebounds in 14 games with a season-high 11 in IVC's 46-39 regional final win over Fullerton to move on to the state tourney.
The state program appearance was the third in program history.
"I am beyond blessed and excited to be continuing my jouney at the next level," Williams said. "This is a dream come true and I am ready to embrace the gring, the growth, and eveything that comes with it.
"I am not just levelling up on the court, but I will also continue my academics, majoring in Psychology and building my future the right way."
She hopes to make an immediate impact and is headed to a Barton State squad that ended with a solid record of 19-10 overall, went 15-5 in the Conference Carolinas and reached the semifinals of that conerence tournament.
