Kate optimistic about coming season

Tara with the class of 2027, from left: Nunu Agara, Courtney Ogden, Chloe Clardy. (Stanford Athletics)

To say that associate head coach Kate Paye is excited about the coming women’s basketball season would be an understatement.

“It’s all smiles at Stanford,” she said in a recent phone interview.

She has many reasons for smiling, starting with the three freshmen: Nunu Agara,  Chloe Clardy and Courtney Ogden. They’re having “a fantastic summer. … They’re very responsible and mature (and) fun to work with. … I can’t rave enough about our freshmen.”

Then there is the staff, which she called incredible. For example, Tempie Brown, who was a Stanford assistant coach from 2013-20, has returned to the same position, replacing the departed Britney Anderson. Tempie’s return “is a huge, huge  win for our program.”

Kate has her own accolades, having been inducted into the A Step Up Inc. Assistant Coaches Hall of Fame in May.

In addition, thanks to new NCAA rules, Erica “Bird” McCall has joined the staff as an additional assistant coach, along with Tempie and Katy Steding. A fan favorite, she graduated from Stanford in 2017. She went on to play professionally in the WNBA and overseas before recently retiring.

She relates well to the players and leads by example, such as joining them in the weight room every morning. She’s “a great role model and mentor,” Kate said. The only way her duties are different from the other coaches’ is that she can’t go off campus to recruit, but she can interact with recruits when they visit Stanford.

 Another good role model is Jeannette Pohlen, ’11, who took on the new position of director of player development last season. She focuses on off-court activities such as community service, alumni relations and team bonding. Activities such as taking in a movie and planning a cook-off are helpful in that bonding. 

Also important focus for the staff is developing leadership. “Our best teams had the best leadership,” Kate said.

Nine of the 12 players are on campus. The two Greek players, junior Elena Bosgana and sophomore Stavi Papadaki, both guards, are in their home country playing on national teams while taking classes remotely.

Sophomore guard Talana Lepolo is in Madrid playing on the USA U-19 team, which is competing in the 2023 FIBA Women’s World Cup through July 23. Kate plans to travel to Spain to cheer for Talana and her team at the medal rounds. “It’s a great opportunity for her. She had an outstanding freshman year,” Kate said.

Cam hoists the USA 3x3 championship trophy in Vienna. (Pac 12 photo)

Senior forward Cameron Brink is back on campus after leading the USA 3x3 team to the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Vienna and being named MVP of the tournament that ended June 4. Before that, she earned the outstanding junior at the annual Stanford Athletic Board Awards. With her blocking ability, “she’s a force defensively,” Kate said, adding that the team will be built around her.

 Sophomore guard Lauren Green, who was a walk-on last season, has been granted a full scholarship.

 With only 12 players rather than the allowed 15, “we are counting on everybody,” Kate said. The summer quarter ends Aug. 17. Fall classes start Sept. 26.