Shannon Dowell is back in the position she was born to play. After a season spent at point guard because of an injury crisis at Missouri, the wing returns to her natural spot at California, where she previously shone in high school.
Her numbers tell a story of untapped potential. In her lone year with the Tigers she averaged 14.9 points and 2.3 assists, but the move to point guard limited her scoring rhythm. At Cal she is expected to regain the mid‑range game that made her a 20‑point threat against the Bears last season, a performance that included a game‑winning shot with one second left.
A New Look for the Golden Bears
Complementing Dowell’s versatility is Lulu Twidale, whose three‑point shooting has already placed her among the ACC’s elite. Twidale hit 101 treys last year, accounting for more than half of her 16.2 points per game, and her perimeter presence will open driving lanes for Dowell.
Adding interior stability is Albina Syla, a 6‑foot‑5 transfer from Rhode Island who arrives with a fresh résumé of 14.7 points and 10.0 rebounds in the Atlantic‑10 tournament, earning MVP honors. Syla will replace departed center Sakima Walker, bringing size, rim protection and low‑post scoring to a frontcourt that lost its anchor.
Coach Charmin Smith sees the new pieces fitting together like a puzzle. She highlighted Dowell’s scoring versatility and Syla’s potential impact, noting that the team returns four starters from a 21‑win season and now has depth at every level.
If the chemistry clicks, Cal could emerge as a dark horse in the ACC race. The blend of Dowell’s wing play, Twidale’s outside threat and Syla’s presence in the paint gives the Golden Bears a balanced attack that could translate into a legitimate title contender for the 2026‑27 campaign.