2025–26 California Golden Bears women's basketball team

2025–26 California Golden Bears women's basketball
2025–26 California Golden Bears women's basketball
Raising the B.A.R Invitational champions
WBIT
Conference	Atlantic Coast Conference
Record	19–14 (9–9 ACC)
Head coach	Charmin Smith (7th season);
Associate head coach	Heidi Heintz (4th season)
Assistant coaches	Travon Bryant (3rd season); Jenny Huth (2nd season); Eliza Pierre (5th season);
Home arena	Haas Pavilion

2025–26 ACC women's basketball standings
	Conf.				Overall
Team	W		L	PCT	W		L	PCT
No. 8 Duke †	16	–	2	.889	24	–	8	.750
No. 13 Louisville	15	–	3	.833	27	–	7	.794
No. 15 North Carolina	14	–	4	.778	26	–	7	.788
NC State	13	–	5	.722	20	–	10	.667
No. 22 Notre Dame	12	–	6	.667	22	–	10	.688
Virginia Tech	12	–	6	.667	23	–	9	.719
Syracuse	12	–	6	.667	23	–	8	.742
Virginia	11	–	7	.611	19	–	11	.633
Clemson	11	–	7	.611	21	–	11	.656
California	9	–	9	.500	19	–	14	.576
Georgia Tech	8	–	10	.444	14	–	18	.438
Miami (FL)	8	–	10	.444	17	–	14	.548
Stanford	8	–	10	.444	19	–	13	.594
Florida State	5	–	13	.278	10	–	21	.323
Wake Forest	4	–	14	.222	14	–	17	.452
SMU	2	–	16	.111	9	–	21	.300
Pittsburgh	1	–	17	.056	8	–	23	.258
Boston College	1	–	17	.056	5	–	26	.161

† 2026 ACC tournament winner As of March 8, 2026 Rankings from AP Poll

The 2025–26 California Golden Bears women's basketball team represents the University of California, Berkeley during the 2025–26 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Golden Bears are led by seventh-year head coach Charmin Smith and play their home games at Haas Pavilion. They compete as second-year members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Previous season

The Golden Bears finished the season 25–9 overall and 12–6 in ACC play to finish in seventh place. As the seventh seed in the ACC tournament, earned a bye into the second round where they defeated Virginia 75–58. They lost to sixth ranked and second seed Notre Dame by nine points in the Quarterfinals. They received an at-large invitation to the NCAA tournament and were the eighth-seed in the Spokane 4 region. They lost to ninth seed Mississippi State 69–46 in the First Round to end their season.

Offseason

Departures

California Departures
Name	Num.	Pos.	Height	Year	Hometown	Reason for departure
Michelle Onyiah	0	C	6'3"	Graduate Student	Eastvale, California	Graduated
Jayda Noble	2	G	5'11"	Graduate Student	Spokane, Washington	Graduated
Zahra King	3	G	5'10"	Freshman	Brooklyn, New York	Transferred to SMU^[1]
Kayla Williams	4	G	5'7"	Graduate Student	Los Angeles, California	Graduated
Marta Suárez	7	F	6'3"	Senior	Oviedo, Spain	Graduated; transferred to TCU^[2]
Kamryn Mafua	14	G/F	6'1"	Freshman	Folsom, California	Transferred to Utah^[3]
Ioanna Krimili	21	G	5'10"	Graduate Student	Heraklion, Greece	Graduated
Natalia Ackerman	35	F	6'1"	Graduate Student	Watsonville, California	Graduated

Incoming transfers

Incoming transfers
Name	Num	Pos.	Height	Year	Hometown	Previous School
Mjracle Sheppard	1	G	5'10"	Junior	Kent, Washington	LSU^[4]
Naya Ojukwu	13	F	6'1"	Sophomore	Meridian, Idaho	Morgan State^[5]
Sakima Walker	35	G	6'5"	Graduate Student	Columbus, Ohio	South Carolina^[6]

Recruiting

Source:^[7]

College recruiting information
Name	Hometown	School	Height	Weight
Taylor Barnes F	Grand Prairie, Texas	South Grand Prairie High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	N/A
Taylor Barnes F	Recruit ratings: ESPN: (92)
Isis Johnson-Musah G	Detroit, Michigan	Detroit Edison Academy	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	N/A
Isis Johnson-Musah G	Recruit ratings: ESPN: (NR)
Grace McCallop G	Shawnee Mission, Kansas	Bishop Miege High School	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	N/A
Grace McCallop G	Recruit ratings: ESPN: (NR)
Aliyahna Morris G	Rancho Cucamonga, California	Etiwanda High School	5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)	N/A
Aliyahna Morris G	Recruit ratings: ESPN: (96)
Overall recruit ranking:
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources:

Roster

2025–26 California Golden Bears women's basketball team

Players

Coaches

Pos.	#	Name	Height	Year	Previous school	Hometown
G	1	Mjracle Sheppard	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	Jr	Montverde Academy LSU	Kent, WA
F	3	Taylor Barnes	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	Fr	South Grand Prairie	Grand Prairie, TX
G	5	Lola Donez	5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)	So	Lahainaluna	Lahaina, HI
G	6	Isis Johnson-Musah	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	Fr	Detroit Edison Academy	Detroit, MI
F	7	Naya Ojukwu	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	RS So	Mountain View Morgan State	Meridian, ID
G	10	Lulu Twidale	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	Jr	South West Metro Pirates	Sunshine Coast, Australia
G	12	Grace McCallop	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	Fr	Bishop Miege	Shawnee Mission, KS
G	21	Gisella Maul	5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)	Jr	Cedar Park Texas	Cedar Park, TX
F	22	Claudia Langarita	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	GS	INS Joaquim Blume San Francisco	Barcelona, Spain
G	23	Anastasia Drosouni	5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)	Jr	Expaideftiria Fryganiotis	Thessaloniki, Greece
G	25	Aliyahna Morris	5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)	Fr	Etiwanda	Rancho Cucamonga, CA
C	35	Sakima Walker	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	GS	Columbus Africentric Early College South Carolina	Columbus, OH
G	42	Sofia Bowes	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	So	San Ramon Valley	San Ramon, CA

Head coach

Charmin Smith (Stanford)

Assistant coach(es)

Heidi Heintz (UC Davis)
Travon Bryant (Missouri)
Jenny Huth (Colorado)
Eliza Pierre (California)

Legend

(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
(W) Walk-on

Injured
Current redshirt

Roster
Last update: September 19, 2025

Schedule and results

Date time, TV	Rank^#	Opponent^#	Result	Record	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Site (attendance) city, state
Exhibition
October 28, 2025* 7:00 p.m.		Westmont						Haas Pavilion Berkeley, CA
Regular season
November 3, 2025* 11:30 a.m., ESPNU		vs. No. 19 Vanderbilt Oui-Play	L 65–74	0–1	17 – Barnes	11 – Walker	5 – Barnes	Adidas Arena (5,712) Paris, France
November 9, 2025* 7:00 p.m., ACCNX		Sacramento State	W 69–52	1–1	16 – Sheppard	7 – Sheppard	6 – Sheppard	Haas Pavilion (1,323) Berkeley, CA
November 11, 2025* 7:00 p.m., ACCNX		Pacific	W 60–52	2–1	19 – Twidale	8 – Tied	3 – Twidale	Haas Pavilion (1,070) Berkeley, CA
November 15, 2025* 3:00 p.m., ACCNX		Charlotte Raising the B.A.R Invitational semifinal	W 69–44	3–1	17 – Morris	9 – Walker	6 – Morris	Haas Pavilion (137) Berkeley, CA
November 16, 2025* 7:00 p.m., ACCNX		Harvard Raising the B.A.R Invitational championship game	W 76–65	4–1	17 – Twidale	9 – Maul	5 – Morris	Haas Pavilion (1,019) Berkeley, CA
November 20, 2025* 11:30 a.m., ACCNX		Saint Mary's	W 70–62	5–1	25 – Walker	9 – Walker	11 – Morris	Haas Pavilion (4,624) Berkeley, CA
November 24, 2025* 5:00 p.m., FloHoops		vs. Grand Canyon Hoopfest Basketball Women’s Challenge	W 68–63	6–1	15 – Sheppard	9 – Ojukwu	5 – Twidale	Comerica Center (271) Frisco, TX
November 26, 2025* 4:30 p.m., FloHoops		vs. Auburn Hoopfest Basketball Women’s Challenge	L 50–58	6–2	18 – Twidale	9 – Barnes	4 – Sheppard	Comerica Center (162) Frisco, TX
December 4, 2025* 6:00 p.m., SECN		at Missouri ACC–SEC Challenge	L 67–68	6–3	16 – Sheppard	11 – Maul	4 – Tied	Mizzou Arena (2,892) Columbia, MO
December 7, 2025* 2:00 p.m., ACCNX		San Jose State	W 92–42	7–3	20 – Twidale	11 – Walker	4 – Tied	Haas Pavilion (1,150) Berkeley, CA
December 10, 2025* 7:00 p.m., ACCNX		Idaho	W 68–61	8–3	15 – Maul	5 – Tied	5 – Walker	Haas Pavilion (903) Berkeley, CA
December 14, 2025 1:00 p.m., ACCNX		at Stanford Rivalry	L 69–78	8–4 (0–1)	16 – Barnes	10 – Maul	4 – Morris	Maples Pavilion (2,957) Stanford, CA
December 21, 2025* 5:30 p.m., ESPN2		vs. No. 19 USC Invisalign Bay Area Women's Classic	L 57–61	8–5	13 – Walker	10 – Walker	3 – Morris	Chase Center (6,258) San Francisco, CA
December 28, 2025* 2:00 p.m., ACCNX		Cal Poly	W 91–50	9–5	19 – Twidale	8 – Walker	6 – Tied	Haas Pavilion (1,596) Berkeley, CA
January 1, 2026 9:00 a.m., ACCN		at No. 16 North Carolina	L 55–71	9–6 (0–2)	19 – Walker	8 – Walker	5 – Twidale	Carmichael Arena (3,036) Chapel Hill, NC
January 4, 2026 11:00 a.m., The CW		at NC State	L 60–71	9–7 (0–3)	16 – Twidale	13 – Maul	5 – Sheppard	Reynolds Coliseum (5,113) Raleigh, NC
January 8, 2026 7:00 p.m., ACCN		Duke	L 74–78	9–8 (0–4)	18 – Walker	10 – Tied	6 – Sheppard	Haas Pavilion (985) Berkeley, CA
January 11, 2026 2:00 p.m., ACCNX		Wake Forest	W 61–52	10–8 (1–4)	17 – Walker	10 – Sheppard	5 – Twidale	Haas Pavilion (1,652) Berkeley, CA
January 15, 2026 3:00 p.m., ACCNX		at Syracuse	L 87–90 ^3OT	10–9 (1–5)	25 – Ojukwu	11 – Barnes	12 – Twidale	JMA Wireless Dome (2,312) Syracuse, NY
January 18, 2026 9:00 a.m., ACCNX		at Boston College	W 73–58	11–9 (2–5)	36 – Twidale	9 – Maul	9 – Twidale	Conte Forum (867) Chestnut Hill, MA
January 25, 2026 3:00 p.m., ACCN		Stanford Rivalry	W 78–71 ^OT	12–9 (3–5)	24 – Twidale	8 – Maul	4 – Sheppard	Haas Pavilion (4,519) Berkeley, CA
January 29, 2026 7:00 p.m., ACCNX		Notre Dame	W 80–69	13–9 (4–5)	19 – Twidale	9 – Walker	10 – Sheppard	Haas Pavilion (2,357) Berkeley, CA
February 1, 2026 11:00 a.m., The CW		No. 7 Louisville	L 59–71	13–10 (4–6)	19 – Maul	11 – Walker	2 – Tied	Haas Pavilion (2,303) Berkeley, CA
February 5, 2026 4:00 p.m., ACCNX		at Georgia Tech	W 63–56	14–10 (5–6)	17 – Maul	13 – Maul	5 – Tied	McCamish Pavilion (1,569) Atlanta, GA
February 8, 2026 10:00 a.m., ACCNX		at Pittsburgh	W 95–80	15–10 (6–6)	32 – Twidale	11 – Maul	8 – Sheppard	Petersen Events Center (1,113) Pittsburgh, PA
February 12, 2026 7:00 p.m., ACCNX		Virginia	W 64–58	16–10 (7–6)	20 – Walker	10 – Walker	3 – Tied	Haas Pavilion (1,310) Berkeley, CA
February 15, 2026 2:00 p.m., ACCNX		Virginia Tech	L 58–68	16–11 (7–7)	15 – Morris	7 – Sheppard	4 – Twidale	Haas Pavilion (2,444) Berkeley, CA
February 19, 2026 3:00 p.m., ACCNX		at Florida State	W 75–62	17–11 (8–7)	30 – Twidale	11 – Walker	6 – Tied	Donald L. Tucker Center (1,605) Tallahassee, FL
February 22, 2026 11:00 a.m., ACCNX		at Miami (FL)	L 60–69	17–12 (8–8)	18 – Twidale	9 – Maul	5 – Maul	Kaseya Center (832) Coral Gables, FL
February 26, 2026 7:00 p.m., ACCNX		Clemson	L 63–70	17–13 (8–9)	23 – Twidale	8 – Maul	4 – Sheppard	Haas Pavilion (2,811) Berkeley, CA
March 1, 2026 2:00 p.m., ACCNX		SMU	W 78–34	18–13 (9–9)	25 – Twidale	8 – Maul	4 – Sheppard	Haas Pavilion (3,025) Berkeley, CA
ACC Women's Tournament
March 4, 2026* 10:30 a.m., ACCN	(10)	vs. (15) Wake Forest First Round	W 75–52	19–13	17 – Walker	10 – Walker	4 – Maul	Gas South Arena (5,192) Duluth, GA
March 5, 2026* 2:00 p.m., ACCN	(10)	vs. (7) Syracuse Second Round	L 59–70	19–14	19 – Walker	8 – Maul	3 – Tied	Gas South Arena (5,290) Duluth, GA
WBIT
March 19, 2026* 7:00 p.m., ESPN+	(3)	Santa Clara First Round						Haas Pavilion Berkeley, CA
*Non-conference game. ^#Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses. All times are in Pacific Time.

Source:^[8]^[9]

Rankings

Ranking movements
**Legend:** ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	Final
AP	—	—	—
Coaches	RV	—	—

References

^ Creme, Charlie (April 30, 2025). "Women's NCAA basketball: Top 10 transfer portal winners". ESPN. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
^ Creme, Charlie (April 30, 2025). "Women's NCAA basketball transfer rankings for 2025-26 season". ESPN. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
^ Judd, Brandon (April 13, 2025). "The Utes are adding a former 4-star talent out of the transfer portal". Deseret News. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
^ Milligan, Rashad (April 30, 2025). "Another former LSU women's basketball player has transferred to a program out west". Nola.com. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
^ "Cal Signs Naya Ojukwu For 2025-26 Season". calbears.com. University of California Athletics. May 6, 2025. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
^ Fowler, Chapel (April 28, 2025). "Former Gamecocks WBB player Sakima Walker transferring to ACC school". The State. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
^ "California Golden Bears". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
^ "2025–26 Women's Basketball Schedule". calbears.com. University of California Athletics. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
^ "Women's Basketball 2025-26 ACC Schedule Released". calbears.com. University of California Athletics. September 2, 2025. Retrieved September 19, 2025.

[1] Creme, Charlie (April 30, 2025). "Women's NCAA basketball: Top 10 transfer portal winners". ESPN. Retrieved September 19, 2025.

[2] Creme, Charlie (April 30, 2025). "Women's NCAA basketball transfer rankings for 2025-26 season". ESPN. Retrieved October 19, 2025.

[3] Judd, Brandon (April 13, 2025). "The Utes are adding a former 4-star talent out of the transfer portal". Deseret News. Retrieved September 19, 2025.

[4] Milligan, Rashad (April 30, 2025). "Another former LSU women's basketball player has transferred to a program out west". Nola.com. Retrieved September 19, 2025.

[5] "Cal Signs Naya Ojukwu For 2025-26 Season". calbears.com. University of California Athletics. May 6, 2025. Retrieved September 19, 2025.

[6] Fowler, Chapel (April 28, 2025). "Former Gamecocks WBB player Sakima Walker transferring to ACC school". The State. Retrieved September 19, 2025.

[7] "California Golden Bears". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved September 19, 2025.

[8] "2025–26 Women's Basketball Schedule". calbears.com. University of California Athletics. Retrieved September 19, 2025.

[9] "Women's Basketball 2025-26 ACC Schedule Released". calbears.com. University of California Athletics. September 2, 2025. Retrieved September 19, 2025.

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California Golden Bears women's basketball
Venues	Oakland Arena (1997–1999) Haas Pavilion (1973–1997, 1999–present)
Culture & lore	History Oski "Fight for California "Big C"
People	Head coaches
Seasons	1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25 2025–26
NCAA Final Four appearance in italics