Three years ago, UTSA women’s basketball was struggling. The program had finished the 2021-22 season with a dismal 7-23 record, showing little promise. However, that began to change when head coach Karen Aston landed a program-altering transfer in forward Jordyn Jenkins from the University of Southern California. Now in the 2024-25 season, Jenkins alongside fellow transfer graduate guard Nina De Leon Negron have helped transform UTSA into a powerhouse.
With a 25-3 record, an undefeated 13-0 mark at the Convocation Center and their first-ever American Athletic Conference regular-season title, the Roadrunners have reached unprecedented heights — drawing a program-record 2,250 fans in their latest victory against Florida Atlantic University. The rise of UTSA women’s basketball has been remarkable, and it would not have been possible without Jenkins and De Leon Negron.
Jenkins’ journey to UTSA was filled with both promise and adversity. A highly regarded recruit out of Kentridge High School in Washington, she initially committed to USC where she played two seasons for the Trojans. While her talent was evident, injuries disrupted her freshman campaign, and despite a breakout sophomore season, in which she averaged 14.8 points per game and earned All-Pac-12 honors, USC struggled as a team. Seeking a fresh start, Jenkins transferred to UTSA ahead of the 2022-23 season and instantly made an impact. She dominated Conference USA, winning Player of the Year while averaging 20.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. However, an offseason knee injury sidelined her for a significant portion of the 2023-24 campaign, delaying her return to the court after her standout junior season. Despite her absence, she returned late in the season and nearly led UTSA to an AAC tournament championship, securing a spot in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament, where the Roadrunners earned their first-ever postseason victory against Northern Colorado. This season, Jenkins has once again been a dominant force, earning five AAC Player of the Week awards and playing a crucial role in UTSA’s historic success.
De Leon Negron took a different path to UTSA. A standout at Montverde Academy, she began her collegiate career at Austin Peay State University before transferring to Incarnate Word University where she flourished. She was named the Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year in 2022-23 and earned All-Southland honors after leading Incarnate Word in scoring and assists. In her lone season at UTSA, she has provided the Roadrunners with a steady presence at point guard, orchestrating the offense and applying relentless defensive pressure. Her ability to control the tempo and create opportunities for her teammates has been a key factor in UTSA’s success.
Both players have had an immeasurable impact on UTSA’s program. De Leon Negron has been the steady hand the Roadrunners needed, but it is Jenkins who has redefined the program’s trajectory. She arrived when UTSA was a struggling team and helped elevate it to national relevance. With the support of Aston, Jenkins and De Leon Negron have left a lasting mark — proving that two players combined with the right coaching can transform a program.
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