The 2026‑27 women's basketball season is fast approaching, and four Rhode Island institutions — the University of Rhode Island, Brown University, Providence College and Bryant University — are each shaping their squads for competition.
At URI, first‑year head coach Colleen Mullen is orchestrating a rebuild that leans heavily on experience brought from Albany. The Rams have added several key contributors who followed Mullen from New York, including Delanie Hill, Amaya Stewart, Martina Borrellas and Anais Levasseur.
Sophia Vital returns as a cornerstone for the Rams, praised for her defensive intensity and rebounding prowess, while the new arrivals aim to inject depth and versatility.
Brown University is riding the momentum of a successful campaign that saw the Bears reach Ivy Madness for the second time in 2025‑26. The Ivy League title remains the ultimate target, but the team knows it must tighten development to challenge the conference elite.
Providence College enters the Big East with a blend of returning players and high‑profile transfers. The Friars view the upcoming season as a two‑year window to break through and establish themselves among the league’s top tier.
Bryant University will count on a senior‑laden core — Mia Mancini, Nia Scott and Martina Boba — to build on a promising start that faded into a late‑season slump. The Bulldogs hope continuity will translate into consistent wins.
Across the state, the mix of new coaches, strategic transfers and seasoned seniors promises a competitive landscape, setting the stage for a season that could reshape expectations for Rhode Island women's basketball.