Cal WBB Season Preview: Charmin Smith 2.0

Can freshman sensation Jayda Curry step into the spotlight?

The California Golden Bears enter the 2022 season with high hopes after finishing 18-13 last year and reaching the second round of the WNIT. Much of the optimism surrounding the Bears centers around the arrival of freshman guard Jayda Curry, who is widely considered to be one of the top recruits in the country. Curry, a 5-foot-11 point guard from Sacramento, was named the 2022 California Gatorade Player of the Year after averaging 24.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 4.3 steals per game for Whitney High School. She is a dynamic scorer who can create her own shot and also set up her teammates. With Curry in the fold, the Bears will have one of the most talented backcourts in the Pac-12. She will be joined by senior guard Charmin Smith, who averaged 12.5 points and 3.4 assists per game last season. Smith is a proven scorer who can knock down shots from anywhere on the court. The Bears also have a solid frontcourt led by senior forward Aaliyah Wilson. The 6-foot-3 Wilson averaged 10.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game last season. She is a physical presence who can score in the paint and also rebound the basketball. Rounding out the Bears' starting lineup will be sophomore guard Cailyn Crocker and sophomore forward Evelien Lutje Schipholt. Crocker is a defensive specialist who averaged 1.8 steals per game last season. Lutje Schipholt is a versatile player who can score inside and outside. The Bears have a lot of talent and experience, but they will need to come together as a team in order to reach their full potential. If they can do that, they have the potential to be a contender in the Pac-12 and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

Key players to watch

* Jayda Curry: The freshman guard is one of the most talented recruits in the country and is expected to make an immediate impact. * Charmin Smith: The senior guard is a proven scorer who can knock down shots from anywhere on the court. * Aaliyah Wilson: The senior forward is a physical presence who can score in the paint and also rebound the basketball.

Schedule

The Bears will open their season on November 7th against the UC Davis Aggies. They will then face a tough non-conference schedule that includes games against the Stanford Cardinal, the Oregon Ducks, and the UCLA Bruins. The Bears will open Pac-12 play on December 29th against the Arizona Wildcats.

Expectations

The Bears are expected to be a contender in the Pac-12 and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. They have a lot of talent and experience, but they will need to come together as a team in order to reach their full potential.