UNC Women’s Basketball: Who Could Take the Biggest Step Forward This Season?

Jriv23 · Sep 25, 2026

I just saw this article. I think you might enjoy it. Go Heels!

UNC Women’s Basketball: Who Could Take the Biggest Step Forward This Season?

When Nyla Brooks arrived in Chapel Hill as a freshman, she quickly became part of Carolina’s rotation. By the end of her first season, she had already established herself as one of the Tar Heels’ young contributors.

tarheelblue.com

uman1 · Sep 25, 2026

Expecting a big year from Nyla B.

tarboy · Saturday at 9:29 AM

I expect Nyla B to have a great sophomore season. She can shoot. She moves her feet well on defense. She has a knack for getting rebounds and she can run the court and finish.

I see her and Kate H as being cornerstone fixtures on what I think can be one of the best of the CB era.

oldwell · Saturday at 9:39 AM

I could see Nyla being on an All-ACC list.

Very excited for this team.

Hvaheel · Saturday at 4:16 PM

Nyla B should do well with more experience. I’d expect that she’s worked on her ball handling so that she can get into the lane at better angles in order to finish. She also needs a floater since her form from three doesn‘t translate on shorter shots.

Reniya Kelly looks to be in outstanding shape And I expect her to have a great season offensively and especially defensively. Likewise for Taissa, she has truly transformed her body and should be more explosive while still having the strength to compete.

uman1 · Saturday at 6:50 PM

tarboy said:
I expect Nyla B to have a great sophomore season. She can shoot. She moves her feet well on defense. She has a knack for getting rebounds and she can run the court and finish.

I see her and Kate H as being cornerstone fixtures on what I think can be one of the best of the CB era.

I would add Akot.

nicheel · Sunday at 8:46 AM

Somebody? Anybody? At the moment things are pitch black and unseen.

tarboy · Sunday at 9:19 AM

Uman1, if Akot stays at UNC 2 years I think she will be a cornerstone fixture in the starting five. Word is she is really good.

Her film looks great. She could be our leading scorer and leading rebounder.

Can't wait to see us in action.

IMO: Kate H, (Kelly,Clardy,Burrows) Nyla B, Akot, Toomey.

Jriv23 · Sunday at 10:07 AM

I agree with everything that has been said. Go Heels!

rjtir06 · Sunday at 10:13 AM

Agree! I could see Kate, Kelly, Burrows, Akot and Toomey to start. Clardy, Nyla B, Gabby off the bench first. Then maybe Laila and Taissa. Still think Blanca is tbd and not so sure now how we will find minutes for Noelle but I hope so. I see JZ and Sydney getting end of game minutes. Definitely a 10 player rotation with 2 questionables.

tarboy · Sunday at 11:42 AM

We are really deep. I think we play fast and pressure a lot.

I don't know but I think Nyla B will start.

uman1 · Sunday at 12:58 PM

Toomey made strides last year. A similar jump this season would be great to see. She is talented.

Hvaheel · Sunday at 1:31 PM

uman1 said:
I would add Akot.

Definitely believe Akot will be very good and maybe our biggest contributor. However, IMO she’s already a proven veteran versus the need to take a “big step forward”. Reniya is a proven vet too but I listed her due to the injury riddled season last year.

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UNC Women’s Basketball: Who Could Take the Biggest Step Forward This Season?

Jriv23

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