UNC transfer Liza Astakhova embraces chance to compete for BYU women's basketball
By Cannon Hakes,
September 18, 2026
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BYU women's basketball player Liza Astakhova is ready to make an impact on this year’s team after her decision to transfer from North Carolina during the offseason.The sophomore forward spoke during the team’s media day on Wednesday about the factors that led to her joining the Cougars for the upcoming season.“I would say the people are the main part of it. People here are so nice, they’re so friendly at the same time, I just love them," Astakhova said. "I talked to coach [Lee Cummard] when I was recruited, and he was so nice.”Astakhova appeared in 12 games as a freshman at North Carolina, averaging 2.1 points and one rebound per game. She was part of a team that made a run to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament last season.“The one thing I remember is just team spirit and team desire to win and practice every day as hard as you can,” Astakhova said about what she wanted to bring to the Cougars from her time at Chapel Hill. “This year, we just have to practice every day as hard as we can, and yeah, we’ll see.”
Kambree Barber-Taylor and Liza Astakhova laugh while answering a question.
Photo by Anna Burkholder
Astakhova is able to play both guard and forward, and her versatility is a strength to her game. “I would say I’m a small forward with a high release shot and I can also play in the post,” Astakhova said. “I can be in multiple positions. It depends what position coach wants me to be.”Astakhova is confident in her ability to help contribute to the team right away. “It’s the main part when you choose a new team,” she said. “You have to know what kind of player you are going to be in this team, are you going to sit on the bench or are you going to be in the rotation.”Her new teammates are equally as excited to have Astakhova for the upcoming season.“She’s super competitive. She’s so good. She brings a good aggressiveness to our team,” said junior forward Kambree Barber-Taylor. “She’s always keeping us in line and motivating us when we need it ... I’m excited to play with her.”Fans will have their first look at Astakhova and the rest of the team when the Cougars open their season on Nov. 3 against Idaho State.
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Liza Astakhova
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