Full Breakdown
Gonzaga Women's Basketball 2025-26 Roster Overview
8/29/2025, 2:44:55 PM
New Season, New Faces for Gonzaga
The Gonzaga women's basketball team has announced its roster for the upcoming 2025-26 season, featuring a mix of returning players and new recruits. The official roster includes 13 players, with five returning from last season and eight newcomers, comprising three freshmen from the 2026 recruiting class and five transfers. The maximum roster size for women's college basketball is 15, allowing for the possibility of two additional players being added later.
The Zags are looking to rebound after missing the NCAA Tournament last season. Key departures include star player Yvonne Ejim, along with Tayla Dalton, Esther Little, Maud Huijbens, Bree Salenbien, and Claire O’Connor, who transferred to other programs. The team is now focused on identifying a new leader, with sophomore guard Allie Turner emerging as a potential candidate. Turner had a standout freshman year, making 105 three-pointers—an NCAA record for freshmen—and averaging 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.
Roster Breakdown
The roster features a diverse group of players, including:
- Paige Lofing (Freshman Guard, Huntley Project/Billings, Montana)
- Vera Gunaydin (Senior Guard, South Georgia Tech/Ankara, Turkey)
- Julia Wilson (Freshman Guard, Rancho Christian/Temecula, California)
- Sierra Lichtie (Graduate Forward, Cal Poly/Riverton, Utah)
- Ines Bettencourt (Senior Guard, UConn/Sao Miguel, Portugal)
- Allie Turner (Sophomore Guard, John Burroughs/Saint Louis, Missouri)
- Christabel Osarobo (Sophomore Guard, Ipswich Basketball Academy/Tudela, Spain)
- Taylor Smith (Junior Forward, Weber State/Pocatello, Idaho)
- McKynnlie Dalan (Junior Forward, Minnesota/Montesano, Washington)
- Jaiden Haile (Freshman Forward, West Fargo Horace/Fargo, North Dakota)
- Teryn Gardner (Sophomore Guard, Boise State/Spokane, Washington)
- Lauren Whittaker (Redshirt Freshman Forward, Canterbury, New Zealand)
- Zeryhia Aokuso (Junior Guard, Saint Mary’s/Amarillo, Texas)
The team will also benefit from the addition of transfers Teryn Gardner and Zeryhia Aokuso, who are expected to make an immediate impact alongside Turner.
Official Statements & Responses
Head coach Lisa Fortier expressed optimism about the upcoming season, emphasizing the importance of the new roster's chemistry and the potential for growth. She highlighted Allie Turner as a key player, stating, "Allie has shown she can be a leader on and off the court, and we are excited to see how she develops this season."
Why It Matters
The Gonzaga women's basketball program has a history of success, having made the NCAA Tournament eight times under Fortier since the 2014-15 season. The upcoming season presents an opportunity for the Zags to rebuild and re-establish themselves as contenders in the West Coast Conference, aiming for their first conference tournament title since 2022.
Verbatim Quotes
As the season approaches, Gonzaga's new roster will be closely watched as they strive to return to the NCAA Tournament and reclaim their position among the elite teams in women's college basketball.
