Utah State Women’s Basketball retools roster ahead of 25-26 season

Heading into the 2025–26 season, Utah State women’s basketball is undergoing a significant roster revamp under second-year head coach Wesley Brooks. With only three players returning from last season, the Aggies have brought in nine newcomers through transfers, international recruiting and incoming freshmen. 

Brooks aims to improve the team’s competitiveness by bringing in an influx of players with NCAA tournament experience, national recognition and high basketball IQ. 

“We have landed players that this program has never seen before,” Brooks said. “So now it should translate into more wins. It should translate into a better product on the floor.” 

The overhaul began with the addition of three first-year players.  

Guards Aitana Rosello Lopez and Paloma Muñoz join the program with competitive backgrounds from Spain’s club circuits. Lopez, 5 feet 9 inches, competed in the FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup, while the 6-foot-1 Muñoz brings a mix of shooting and rebounding from the forward position. Bella Cosme, a 5-foot-5 guard from Rancho Christian High School in California, joins the 2025 class with a knack for pushing the pace and hitting 3-pointers. 

Senior forward Jamisyn Heaton, one of the three returning players, believes the young recruits can make an immediate impact on the court. 

“The girls that I met on their visits were amazing,” Heaton said. “I’m just excited, and I can tell that they’re determined and ready to come play at this level.” 

Brooks then prioritized experience, adding four Division I transfers, including two who competed in the NCAA Tournament last season. 

Marina Asensio is a 5-foot-8 guard from Spain who spent last season at Western Michigan. With an elite step-back jumper and exceptional court vision, Asensio’s talents earned her a spot representing her country at the FIBA 3×3 U21 Nations League. In her junior year, she started every game and averaged 13.6 points and 4.9 assists while shooting nearly 38% from 3-point range. Beginning her collegiate career at South Florida, Asensio was named All-MAC Honorable Mention in 2024. 

Another backcourt addition is Aaliyah Gayles, a 5-foot-9 guard who transfers from USC. Once ranked as the No. 8 overall recruit in the country by ESPN, Gayles made headlines as a McDonald’s All-American in 2022 before being seriously injured in a shooting later that year. After recovering, she appeared in 22 games across two seasons with the Trojans and now looks to continue her comeback in Logan. 

Joining them is Karyn Sanford, a 6-foot guard who arrives from Tarleton State. Sanford averaged 4.2 points and 1.8 rebounds last season and previously played at Albany. Her size and versatility are expected to add depth and flexibility to Utah State’s perimeter rotation. 

The Aggies also added local ties with the signing of Macie Brown, a 6-foot forward from the College of Southern Idaho. A Ridgeline High School graduate and daughter of former Utah State player Tony Brown, Macie averaged 4.4 points and 4.0 rebounds last season at CSI. She joins her former high school teammate, Elise Livingston, who returns to the Aggies for her sophomore year. 

International recruiting has played a prominent role in this year’s class. From Germany, forward Saskia Kruger comes to Utah State after averaging 6.9 points and 5.8 rebounds with ASC Theresianum Mainz in the Bundesliga. Serbia’s Andjela Marojevic, a 5-foot-10 wing, brings additional experience after playing 37 games for ZKK Partizan 1953 Beograd and averaging 8.9 points and 4.2 rebounds last season. 

“We’re going to have a higher level of talent because we cast a broader net,” Brooks said. “We’re not just looking in the United States.” 

Only three players return from last year’s team: Heaton, Livingston and Sophie Sene. With the current roster at 12 players, Brooks noted one scholarship remains open and will likely be used to add another post player before the fall. 

Heaton, a former junior college athlete at CSI, is poised to take on a leadership role due to her familiarity with Brooks’ system.  

“I don’t feel like I’m in a senior role, but I have been kind of put into more of a leadership role being a two-year vet,” Heaton said. “Being here for the last two years is going to be crucial for this team, and so I’m trying to set the bar for the other girls coming in.” 

In addition to the roster changes, Utah State’s coaching staff and management have also been restructured.  

Jasmine Hotchkins-Parker joins as an assistant after helping San Diego State make its first NCAA tournament since 2012. Michael Teasley was hired as chief of staff, bringing 25 years of experience coaching some of the nation’s top high school players. Quim Gomez, who coached Asensio during her youth development years in Spain, was hired as an international recruiting and player development specialist. His presence reflects the program’s growing emphasis on recruiting talent from overseas. 

“We’re in a good spot with our staff,” Brooks said. “Hiring Jas [Hotchkins-Parker] allows us to really tap into West Coast opportunities and connections with EYBL [Elite Youth Basketball League] programs. Mike [Teasley] is a veteran who’s been around for 20 years, and he’s developed over 18 NBA and WNBA players. Quim Gomez is huge with our international piece that we’re going after — a very big-time coach in Spain development.” 

The roster rebuild comes at a time when women’s sports are gaining more visibility and support across the country — and on campus. Utah State’s women’s teams in volleyball, softball and soccer have each seen recent competitive success and growing fan interest. Those programs have helped raise the profile of women’s athletics in Logan, and Brooks says the basketball team is aiming to be part of that surge. 

“I tell our local people, ‘If you want to buy into something from the ground up, this is it right here because the upside is so high,” Brooks said. “I encourage people to tap into women’s sports in Cache Valley because we need the same support. Manny [Martins] needs support, Todd [Judge] needs support, Rob [Nielson]. We all need the support.” 

As summer workouts begin, the focus is on building chemistry among a group of players who, for the most part, have never played together. 

“Obviously, we’ve got to get the chemistry,” Brooks said. “But I think the basketball IQ and skills accelerate that learning curve. There will be adjustments in September and maybe even October or November, but by the time December runs around and conference play runs around, we’ll be ready to make a push.” 

The Aggies will continue preseason training through the summer with a focus on team cohesion and system integration before opening the season this fall.