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