MOSCOW, Idaho – The Idaho Vandals women's basketball officially opens practice at ICCU Arena today in preparation for the 2025-26 season. 

Idaho is led by second-year head coach Arthur Moreira, who led the Vandals to an 18-win season a year ago, surprising many around the Big Sky Conference as Idaho was picked eighth in conference preseason polls and ended up finishing in third. 
 

"I am really excited about the group we have this year," Moreira mentioned about his team. "We have a great combination of size and athleticism that allows us to do a lot of different things. We are also very competitive, which makes it a fun group to coach, and I truly have fun going to practice every single day. We have a long ways to go, but this group is picking stuff up quicker than last year. It helps having 7 returners that are familiar with us and our concepts, and they hold the newcomers accountable."

Moreira, one of the youngest head coaches in the nation, capitalized on the Vandals' big year last season and signed the 23^rd-ranked transfer class in the nation – far and away the highest-ranked class in the conference. Idaho signed a five-star transfer player in Deb Dos Santos who averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds per game in the 2023-24 season at San Francisco. Joining Dos Santos on the Palouse is her former San Francisco teammate Lorena Barbosa, who stands at a towering 6'5". 

The Vandals signed Niveya Henley, a native of Seattle, Wash., who spent four years playing at Furman and was selected as a SoCon all-conference performer. Moreira and company also recruited Kyra Gardner, an all-around wing player who started her collegiate career at Washington State. Mary McMorris, who was playing at Valdosta State last season and previously had spent time at Northern Arizona, also joined the Vandals this offseason. 

Idaho also returns all-conference guard Hope Hassmann, who averaged over 12 points and three assists per game for the Vandals last season. UI is also excited for the return of Ana Beatriz Passos Alves da Silva (Brazil) and Ana Pinheiro (Portugal), who spent their summers competing for their national teams in tournaments across the world. 

UI set an ICCU Arena record last season with 10 home wins in a single season. The Vandal family was an undeniable factor in Idaho establishing one of the best homecourt advantages in the Big Sky, setting an attendance record of over 1,300 fans per game. 

The Vandals tip off their season on November 3 in a matchup against longtime rival Washington State. That game can be seen on ESPN+, tip time is yet to be announced. 

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TICKETS: Season ticket deposits here or by calling the Idaho ticket office at (208)885-6466.