California Irvine Athletics

Tenth-year head coach Tamara Inoue has developed UC Irvine women's basketball into a perennial Big West Championship contender. She has led UCI to a top-two conference finish in each of the last six seasons, and to an appearance in the championship game in three of the last five Big West tournaments. The 2025-26 Anteaters will look a little different after graduating five players who were integral to the most successful four-year stretch in program history, but the goal and expectation of continuing the culture that has been built during Inoue's tenure remains intact. As the 'Eaters get ready for another exciting season, below are five things to know ahead of the opener in two weeks.
 
1. CONTINUED SUCCESS
UC Irvine is looking to continue the most successful stretch in program history. The Anteaters have recorded 20+ wins and placed among the top-two in the Big West regular season standings in each of the last four years. Since 2021-22, the 'Eaters are 90-38 overall, and 61-15 in conference play. With seven returning letterwinners and six highly-touted newcomers, UCI hopes it has the right mix to get back to the top of the Big West after winning the tournament in 2023-24 and the regular-season title in 2022-23.
 
"To hang banners is a testament to this program, my staff, and the leadership I've had above me that has guided and mentored me," Inoue said. "We've been able to find players who can be successful here and I'm fortunate these last few years my team has really stayed the same. We've had four-year players and haven't had to change much. This year, with six newcomers it almost feels like we're starting over. It's a lot of new faces, a lot of talent coming in, and it's about getting them to buy into the culture we've built. It's a positive challenge and we're excited about continuing to put a good brand of basketball out there."
 
2. BIG WEST ACCOLADES
Leading the way in 2025-26 will be fifth-year senior Hunter Hernandez, who was named to the All-Big West Preseason Coaches' Team. Hernandez is UC Irvine's only returning starter. Last year, she earned her second career first-team all-conference honor after ranking among the top-15 in the league in scoring (6th, 13.1 ppg) and rebounding (12th, 5.5 rpg). The 5-foot-9 guard finished the campaign with 22 double-figure scoring games and two double-doubles. It was an impressive comeback year for Hernandez as she had missed the entire 2023-24 season recovering from an ACL injury. Hernandez was also a first-team All-Big West selection in 2022-23, and made the All-Freshman Team in 2021-22.
 
3. BACK FOR MORE
UCI also welcomes back junior Summah Hanson, who was tabbed the 2024-25 Big West Best Sixth Player. Hanson appeared in all 31 games last year, averaging 8.6 points and 5.4 rebounds in 18.7 minutes per outing. In addition, the 6-foot-3 forward was tops on the squad in free throw percentage (89.7%). Other returners looking to take on a bigger role this season are junior point guard Shirel Nahum, sophomore guard Lauryn Madsen, sophomore forward Daniela Falcon Hernandez, junior guard Haley Hernandez, and sophomore guard Reese Noa.
 
4. ENTERING THE MIX
The Anteaters bring in six newcomers, including transfers Jada Wynn and Naomy Zonzon-Huyghe. Wynn is a senior who spent the last two seasons at Texas Tech. Wynn, who is the daughter of UC Irvine assistant coach Derek Wynn, returns home to Orange County as she grew up in Yorba Linda, and graduated from Troy High School in Fullerton. Zonzon-Huyghe, a native of France, comes to Irvine after one year at Arizona Western College where she was a 2024-25 NJCAA second-team All-American. The 'Eaters also add four true freshmen – Nohe'alani Stores (Mater Dei HS), Kianna Wormly (Vista Ridge HS), Ameerah Grant (Brown Deer HS), and Despoina Baltzi (Greece). Stores and Wormly were 2025 McDonald's High School All-American Game nominees.
 
"It's a cool thing for Jada to come back home to Orange County and play in front of her family and make a name for herself here," Inoue said. "Shooting is her thing, but she can do a lot more than that. For us, a big thing is her leadership and the way she and Hunter are bringing the team together. Those two really complement each other. Naomy is also an exciting player and so much fun to coach. She brings the energy and fire to practice every day."

5. HOME SWEET HOME
Since 2017-18, UC Irvine has boasted an 81-26 (.757) record at the Bren Events Center. Last year, UCI went 12-2 at the Bren, tying the school record for home wins. In 2025-26, the Anteaters have 15 home contests, starting with their annual Kids Day game on Wednesday, Nov. 5, when local elementary schools will pack the arena for UCI's season opener vs. San Diego at 11 a.m. A new addition to the home schedule is the ZotGiving Classic on Thanksgiving weekend. The 'Eaters are set to square off against Wichita State (Nov. 28) and Colgate (Nov. 29), which is coming off a 23-10 season. Overall, UC Irvine will face five non-conference opponents that had 18+ wins and advanced to the postseason last year.