BYU women's basketball has 'high hopes' as it prepares for upcoming season
By Cannon Hakes,
September 18, 2026
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The BYU women’s basketball team is ready to embrace the challenge of another season in the Big 12. During the team’s media day on Wednesday, players expressed their excitement for the upcoming season, including the chance to improve off their 9-9 record in Big 12 play.The Cougars return seven players from last season’s team that made a run to the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament, including star guards Delaynee Gibb (18.3 points per game), who received Big 12 First Team honors, and Olivia Hamlin (12.9 ppg), who was part of the All-Big 12 Freshman team.
Delaney Gibb talks to media members.
Photo by Anna Burkholder
Gibb, fresh off of helping Canada win the 2026 Women's Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament, quickly noticed the effort that was being put in during the offseason. "There’s bodies hitting the floor, diving for loose balls, everyone’s competing,” Gibb said. “Even in practice, you can see that everyone is pushing each other to play the best and we’re doing it the right way.”Another one of those returning players, Brinley Cannon, believes this team can do something special this season. “I have really high hopes for this team. I think we’re super hungry and just excited to compete this season and see what we can do,” she said.
Sydney Benally and Bolanle Yussuf share a laugh.
Photo by Anna Burkholder
Several of the other young returning players sophomore guard Sydney Benally talked about her personal growth last year. “I definitely gained a lot of experience from my freshman year, and I now know how tough the Big 12 is.” “I came to know that the Big 12 is a tough conference, and that pushed me into a situation where I know the work that needs to be done,” sophomore Bolonle Yussuf said.The Cougars are bolstered by the addition of five new players to the roster, made up of three new freshmen and two sophomores.One of those additions is the return of redshirt sophomore Kailey Woolston. She is returning to the court two seasons after her fantastic freshman campaign during the 2023-2024 season.
Kailey Woolston takes her seat to talk to media members.
Photo by Anna Burkholder
“I’m just excited to compete with these girls,” she said. “It’s been a long and good offseason, putting in a lot of work with these girls and I’m just excited to get to the games and start playing them.”Woolston’s teammates are excited to welcome her back to the team. “Kailey is super nice, and she’s super good, and she just brings another level of competitiveness and she also doesn’t miss," guard Kambree Barber-Taylor said.
Brinley Cannon smiles while listening to Kailey Woolston.
Photo by Anna Burkholder
With such a young and energetic team, the Cougars are looking to be a team to watch this season in the Big 12 conference. They are also seeking to make the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2022 after being the first team out last season. “Don’t leave any doubt for getting into the tournament this year,” Cannon said.The Cougars will begin their season Nov. 3 against Idaho State. They start Big 12 play on Dec. 19 as they travel to Tucson to face Arizona.
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byu women's basketball
Delaney Gibb
kailey woolston
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