A New Chapter for the Sun Devils
The Arizona State University women's basketball team is gearing up for the 2026‑27 season after a remarkable turnaround that saw the program jump from a ten‑win campaign in 2024‑25 to a 24‑win season in 2025‑26, earning its first NCAA Tournament berth in years. The momentum has carried into the offseason, with coaches and players already focused on building on that success.
Central to the team's resurgence are returning standouts McKinna Brackens and Heloisa Carrera. Brackens capped the previous season with career‑high numbers of 31 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals in a single game, underscoring her all‑around impact. Carrera, meanwhile, elevated her scoring to 10.4 points per game while shooting an impressive 53.8 percent from the field and 78.1 percent from the free‑throw line, providing a reliable offensive spark.
The schedule for the upcoming season was announced in September, revealing a slate of home and away contests against Big 12 foes such as Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Iowa State, Texas Tech, TCU, Baylor, Cincinnati and West Virginia. The non‑conference portion will also feature matchups in markets like San Diego, Orlando and Brooklyn, giving the team exposure to diverse playing styles and fan bases.
Amaya Williams, who appeared in all 35 games last season, contributed 11 assists in a win over San Diego and will continue to anchor the backcourt with her playmaking ability. Her consistency, combined with the experience of Brackens and Carrera, positions the Sun Devils to remain competitive against perennial powerhouses.
Looking Ahead
While the full slate of dates, times and television designations will be finalized later this year, the non‑conference portion is already generating buzz among supporters who anticipate early‑season tests that could further solidify the team's identity. The program's dramatic improvement — a fourteen‑win swing that mirrors the Big 12's best turnaround in the past sixteen years — has raised expectations both on and off the court.
Fans can look forward to seeing the Sun Devils battle in venues ranging from the high‑altitude arenas of Salt Lake City and Denver to the bustling basketball hubs of Houston, Orlando and Brooklyn. Each stop offers a unique atmosphere that will challenge the team's depth and adaptability as they aim to translate their recent success into sustained excellence.