Fresno State Women's Hoops Rebuilds Roster
The program enters its season with almost an entirely new group, with 11 newcomers added under head coach Ryan McCarthy.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Basketball
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Fresno State women's basketball previews five standout players ahead of its November 4 season opener against UC Merced. Only four players returned from last season's roster, as McCarthy added seven transfers and four incoming freshmen.
Why it matters
The roster overhaul makes the upcoming season a test of how quickly new players can integrate into the lineup. The return of several experienced transfers could shape the team's competitiveness in its new campaign.
Gray shot 40% from the field and 86% from the free-throw line last season at Sacramento State, while Rean's season was limited to six games due to injury. Hunter's 64 steals last season was a career high, and Hunter led the October 30 exhibition with 17 points.
The players
Ryan McCarthy
Ryan McCarthy is the head coach of Fresno State women's basketball, who assembled the revamped roster this season.
Rubi Gray
Rubi Gray is a senior transfer guard from Sacramento State who is expected to take on a larger offensive role for Fresno State.
Ashlyn Rean
Ashlyn Rean is a junior returner whose potential impact depends on her ability to stay healthy after an injury-shortened season.
Jada Hunter
Jada Hunter is a transfer from Saint Mary's College of California who recorded a career-high 64 steals last season.
The details
Fresno State added 11 players, including seven transfers and four incoming freshmen, reshaping the roster ahead of the season. Senior transfer Rubi Gray, who arrives from Sacramento State, is positioned as a potential offensive centerpiece, while junior Ashlyn Rean returns from injury with the potential to be one of the most impactful players if healthy.
Timeline
October 30, 2026: Exhibition game against Cal State Stanislaus.
November 2, 2026: McCarthy had not yet announced the starting five.
November 4, 2026: Season opener against UC Merced at 6:30 p.m.
Season Trajectory
The season opener is the first test of a roster built largely from transfers and freshmen rather than returning players. How quickly the newcomers adapt will shape the team's early standing and its competitive outlook in the season ahead.
Fans tracking the team should note the November 4 opener at Save Mart Center and watch whether Gray and Rean establish reliable roles early. Fantasy and bracket-minded followers will want to see how the starting five settles once McCarthy announces it.
The takeaway
Roster turnover this extensive rarely produces a clear picture early, so the first several games will show how quickly the new players mesh. Watching the starting five and early minutes distribution offers the best read on the season's direction.
What happens next
The team opens its season against UC Merced on November 4, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at the Save Mart Center.
Further reading
For more on the program's current squad, explore Basketball coverage across the site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Collegian.
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