Open practice offers preview of team

 

Sophomore guard Shay Ijiwoye is her usual exuberant self at the practice.

Several hundred fans of Stanford women’s basketball got a sneak peek at the 2025-26 team at an open practice July 24.

“We are having a fantastic summer,” head coach Kate Paye told the crowd. “It’s great to be back.”

She made several pitches for people to renew their season tickets and to bring their friends. In an email the next day she said, “Renewals are doing GREAT. Right where we’ve always been and even above!”

During the session, the players went through various conditioning and shooting drills before a scrimmage that ended the afternoon.

All 15 players were there, but not everyone could participate. Senior guard Talana Lepolo and sophomore forward Harper Peterson were sidelined, as they had been most of last season.

Talana was doing some shooting on her own early in the session before switching to the stationary bike. Harper was still wearing a boot on her left foot. However, Kate said in another email that she expects both to be ready for the start of the new season.

The season’s first home game is scheduled for Nov. 3.

No printed roster was available, but the videoboard flashed photos of each player and her position several times.

It’s too early for any real assessments, but the overall impression is that the team is doing well. Returning players all have improved, and the five freshmen acquitted themselves well.

At the end of the session, each player, starting with the three seniors, introduced herself, her academic year and her hometown.

Senior guard Talana Lepolo signs her autograph for fans.

Afterward, the team adjourned to the north concourse to sign autographs.

The summer quarter continues through Aug. 16. Fall classes start Sept. 22.

The team’s new locker room is expected to be ready by then. For now, the area between the west side of Maples and Campus Drive remains blocked off.

Photos by Stanford Athletics

 

 

 

Optimistic outlook for 2025-26 team

Sarah Boothe, '12 (center, in black in front of Stanford logo), visits the team. (Stanford photo)

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With a stellar recruiting class and a strong contingent of returning players, the Stanford women’s basketball team promises to give fans a lot to cheer for in 2025-26.

“We’re feeling very happy right now,” assistant coach Katy Steding said in a recent phone interview.

Even though it’s a relatively young squad with only three seniors and four juniors, “We’re so optimistic,” Katy said. There’s much to cheer on the roster.

It also appears that for now the 15-member team is at nearly full strength. Senior point guard Talana Lepolo “appears to be in great shape” and has been cleared to play after missing most of last season with an injury.

Sophomore forward Harper Peterson, who also missed last season with an ankle problem, has had surgery that went better than expected. She still recovering, and  her teammates have been supportive, Katy said.

Freshmen are impressive

As for the freshmen, HoopGurlz-rated 4-star forward Nora Ezike from Illinois has been in the Czech Republic playing for Nigeria, which soundly defeated China in the first round of FIBA U19 World Cup competition. The coaches have great hopes for her and all of the freshmen.

Then there’s versatile 4-star wing Carly Amborn from San Anselmo. “You can’t leave her open,” Katy said.

Hailee Swain, a 5-star point guard from Georgia, missed some practices, but now “she’s doing great.”

“Super versatile” is how Katy described 5-star forward Lara Somfai, who’s from Florida.

Alexandra (Alex) Eschmeyer of Colorado, another 5-star forward, is the team’s tallest player at 6’5”. When Katy saw her play during a recruiting trip, she immediately left and called head coach Kate Paye, telling her that Alex needed to come to Stanford. Meanwhile, Alex was worried when she saw Katy leave, fearing that she wasn’t interested

All five freshmen are 3-point shooters and run the floor well. “I’m really impressed with all of them,” Katy said

Internships for some

Several returning players have internships this summer. Among others, senior guard Stavi Papadaki and junior guard Chloe Clardy are in finance. Sophomore Center Kennedy Umeh is helping at a Stanford hospital, and senior guard Lauren Green is learning about shoe design.

All of the players and staff are looking forward to getting into their new, larger locker room, which was under construction last season. It’s hoped it’ll be ready for the new season.

With so much talent available at all positions, the players might have to play tag team. “It’s a really deep, talented squad,” Katy concluded