Bay Area Women’s College Basketball 2025-26 Season Preview
The college basketball season is back. Fans are buzzing, waiting for the action-packed games ahead.
This year could be especially interesting for the Cal Bears, Stanford Cardinal, San Jose State Spartans, Santa Clara Broncos, and Saint Mary’s Gaels. Each squad brings something different to the mix, with their own strengths and headaches.
Let’s dig into what might be in store for these five teams in the 2025-26 season. We’ll look at returning stars, new faces, coaching shifts, and where they might land in the standings.
Cal Bears: A New-Look Team with High Hopes
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Last season, the Cal Bears went on a tear, finishing 25-9 and making the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. Head coach Charmin Smith, now entering her seventh year, faces a big test with a roster that’s changed a lot.
Key Players and Strengths
Junior guard Lulu Twidale returns after averaging 13.2 points and 3.03 assists. Sophomore forward Naya Ojukwu, a transfer from Morgan State, brings her 17.1 points and 9 rebounds per game to the table.
Graduate student center Sakima Walker and junior guard Mjracle Sheppard add experience from South Carolina and LSU. That’s a lot of big-program experience packed in.
Key Reserves:
- Junior guard Gisella Maul
- Graduate student forward Claudia Langarita
- Freshman forward Taylor Barnes
- Sophomore guard Lola Donez
- Freshman guard Grace McCallop
Challenges and Outlook
Cal has some glaring challenges. Seven roster spots are filled by freshmen and sophomores, so there’s not a ton of college experience.
They also lost four of their top five scorers, so new faces will have to step up fast. Smith has a reputation for getting the most out of her teams, but this is a tall order.
Stanford Cardinal: Aiming for a Bounceback Season
Stanford wants to put last year’s 16-15 season in the rearview mirror. Second-year head coach Kate Paye has a strong recruiting class and a chip on her shoulder after missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 37 years.
Key Players and Strengths
Junior forward Nunu Agara and junior guard Chloe Clardy look set to carry the offense. Agara put up 15.8 points and 7.6 rebounds last year, while Clardy chipped in 10.2 points and 2.58 assists.
Stanford also brought in three five-star freshmen: Hailee Swain, Lara Somfai, and Alexandra Eschmeyer. That’s a lot of size and scoring potential.
Key Reserves:
- Freshman forward Lara Somfai
- Freshman forward Alexandra Eschmeyer
- Sophomore guard Wrenwyck Ijiwoye
- Forward Mary Ashley Stevenson
- Senior guard Talana Lepolo
Challenges and Outlook
Youth is both a blessing and a curse for Stanford. There’s talent, but outside Agara and Clardy, proven scorers are thin on the ground.
The Cardinal are slotted at sixth in the ACC, and fans are crossing their fingers for a return to the Big Dance.
San Jose State Spartans: Building from the Ground Up
San Jose State starts fresh under first-year head coach Jonas Chatterton. The Spartans finished 10-22 last year and, honestly, expectations are low—they’re projected to land last in the Mountain West.
Key Players and Strengths
Senior guard Amira Brown and junior guard Rylei Waugh each averaged 7.1 points last season. Forward Maya Anderson returns after a redshirt year and could shake things up.
Key Reserves:
- Senior guard McKenna Simons
- Freshman forward Gabriela Pato
- Junior guard Brianna McGee
- Junior forward Amelie Sitterud
Challenges and Outlook
San Jose State has a lot to overcome. The team lacks size and experience, and the top five scorers and two best rebounders from last year are gone.
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Still, Chatterton brings experience from Oklahoma, so maybe he can spark something new.
Santa Clara Broncos: A New Era Under Loree Payne
Santa Clara also has a new boss: head coach Loree Payne, fresh off a strong run at Northern Arizona. The Broncos went 14-17 last season and are pegged for fifth in the West Coast Conference.
Key Players and Strengths
Graduate student forward Sophie Glancey averaged 18.1 points and 9.6 rebounds at Northern Arizona and should be a force. Junior guard Maia Jones and grad guard Ashley Hawkins bring plenty of scoring, too.
Key Reserves:
- Sophomore guard Aniyah Hooker
- Reilly Clark
- Senior forward Alana Goodchild
- Freshman guard Maddy Warberg
- Freshman forward Tyler Glidersleeve-Stiles
Challenges and Outlook
Santa Clara has solid starters, but the bench is pretty green. Still, strong recruiting and transfers have fans hoping for a top-five finish.
Payne’s leadership might just be what the Broncos need to make some noise.
Saint Mary’s Gaels: Aiming for a Winning Conference Record
Saint Mary’s made some progress in conference play last year. Third-year head coach Jeff Cammon is looking to keep that momentum going.
The Gaels finished 14-17 and are projected for seventh in the West Coast Conference. That’s not great, but it’s not hopeless, either.
Key Players and Strengths
Graduate guard Malia Latu comes in after averaging 10.7 points at Santa Clara. Junior guard Emily Foy and senior forward Georgia Grigoropoulou will also play big roles.
Key Reserves:
- Junior guard Jada Hunter
- Junior guard Amy Kurkowski
- Sophomore guard Mauriana Hashemian-Orr
- Senior forward Melesungu Afeaki
- Junior guard Addi Wedin
Challenges and Outlook
The Gaels have great size and athleticism. Still, outside of Latu, Foy, and Shoff, they don’t really have many proven scorers.
The coaching staff wants to develop younger players into reliable scoring options. That’s a tall order, but maybe someone will surprise us.
Saint Mary’s is aiming for their first winning conference record since 2018-19. It’s been a while, so fans are hungry for a turnaround.
As the college basketball season unfolds, fans of the Cal Bears, Stanford Cardinal, San Jose State Spartans, Santa Clara Broncos, and Saint Mary’s Gaels have plenty to look forward to. Every team brings something different, and honestly, the unpredictability is half the fun.
If you’re curious for deeper insights or just want to nerd out over stats, check out the full breakdown at Mercury News.