Charmin Smith

Cal head coach Charmin Smith embraces sophomore Lulu Twidale at the end of the Bears' first-round NCAA game against Mississippi State in Los Angeles.

Cal modeling after the Golden State Valkyries in Year 2 in the ACC

By Michelle Smith / October 25, 2025

The Bears have veteran leadership in Lulu Twidale and fresh star power in Puff Morris to lead them back to the NCAA Tournament.

Hannah Hidalgo drives to the hoop.

2025-26 ACC preview

By Michelle Smith / October 21, 2025

After losing 70% of all-conference performers from last season, ACC teams are looking for fresh starts all around

After resurgent year ends, Cal immediately pivots to building next NCAA Tournament-worthy team

By Michelle Smith / March 23, 2025

Bears will be “aggressive” in the portal starting Monday after first NCAA appearance in six years.

JuJu Watkins flexes after the USC trojans take the lead over the UCLA Bruins on February 13, 2025.

Spokane Region 2: USC feeling slighted, yet confident

By Michelle Smith / March 17, 2025

Connecticut looms as No. 2 seed with Oklahoma and Kentucky as the No. 3 and 4.

Cal head coach Charmin Smith gestures with both hands in front of her as she speaks at a podium during ACC media days.

Cal and Charmin Smith make a statement in win over Stanford

By Michelle Smith / December 14, 2024

Smith: ‘I’m happy to beat Stanford and I’m gonna act like it, because that’s a really good team’

Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer is covered in confetti as her team celebrates her 1,203 win as head coach.

Tara VanDerveer’s sudden retirement from Stanford reverberates

By Michelle Smith / April 10, 2024

VanDerveer spoke to The Next on Tuesday about why this was the right time

Stanford forward Kiki Iriafen goes for a layup during a game against Indiana at Maples Pavilion. No other players can be seen around the paint.

Kiki Iriafen is no second fiddle for Stanford

By Michelle Smith / March 21, 2024

The junior forward’s breakout season makes her the backbone of the Cardinal’s tourney hopes

California head coach Charmin Smith raises her left hand in the air as she addresses the crowd, holding a microphone in her left hand. Notre Dame head coach Niele Ivey stands to her right, looking out at the crowd.

Inside Niele Ivey and Charmin Smith’s historic St. Louis homecoming

By Jenn Hatfield / November 18, 2022

‘There’s a lot of firsts that’s going on right now’