A Fresh Outlook for Stanford Basketball
Stanford head coach Kyle Smith is entering his second season with the Cardinal, and he already knows the work ahead will be defined by both loss and renewal. After stints at Columbia, USF, and Washington State, Smith brings a coaching philosophy that emphasizes empowerment and growth.
The program will be without its top five scorers from the 2025‑26 campaign, a fact that shapes the roster reshaping effort. Smith has kept eight players from the previous year, five of whom were redshirted to gain experience, among them veteran forward Maxime Raynaud, who will provide interior stability, while seven newcomers — five of them freshmen — have been added to the mix.
Among the freshmen, Aziz Olajuwon, a 6‑foot‑7 swingman and son of Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon, arrives with a reputation for size, length and shooting that could immediately impact the lineup.
Ebuka Okorie, who burst onto the scene with a 23.2‑point‑per‑game average in his rookie ACC season, is projected to be selected in the second half of the first round of the NBA draft. His rapid development under Smith’s guidance has been fueled by a growth mindset, relentless work ethic and a willingness to absorb coaching.
Smith often emphasizes empowerment, giving his players room to experiment and improve. That philosophy has helped Okorie refine his scoring arsenal and has been a cornerstone of the team’s culture.
The coach also acknowledges the logistical challenges of ACC travel and the heightened competition that comes with facing traditional powerhouses, but he remains optimistic about the squad’s trajectory.
Outside the gym, Smith plans to spend the summer at Half Moon Bay and Lake Chelan, and he will be a featured speaker at Deerfield Academy, where he hopes to share insights with the next generation of players.