OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City University women's basketball team enters the 2026–27 season with a veteran-heavy lineup capable of making a major push up the Sooner Athletic Conference standings.
 
Following her debut season, head coach Alexis Lawrence welcomed a deep 14-player roster anchored by six seniors and five juniors to bring experience, chemistry and a rebuilt team culture to Abe Lemons Arena.
 
Lawrence noted that a primary takeaway from her first year at the helm was the roster's cultural maturity and motivation.
 
"They came back ready to work, committed to improving, and have done a great job helping our newcomers adjust," Lawrence said. "I'm excited about the foundation we're building and the growth I've already seen in our players as they take more ownership of our culture."
 
To navigate a highly competitive SAC, the Stars intend to lean heavily on returning veteran experience. Lawrence highlighted guards Lauren Rowan and Brooke Curry as anchors who have entered their senior campaigns with heightened determination. Rowan has demonstrated significant summer growth by stepping into a vocal leadership role, while Curry showcased strong development during early team scrimmages.
 
The veteran presence will complement a group of newcomers that Lawrence believes will assume immediate, key roles. The frontcourt receives a substantial boost with the return of junior forward Jazmin Adams, an Oklahoma City native back with the program as a traditional back-to-the-basket post option. The backcourt depth is further solidified by junior guard LaKayla Hale, who brings notable perimeter quickness and defensive pride, senior guard Angela Vergara, recognized as a steady multi-level scoring threat, and junior guard Kiera Whitaker, a hard worker capable of producing across all three levels.
 
The remainder of the OCU roster features a strong mix of upperclassmen and rising talent.
 
Guards Allie Harris, Victoria Ososanya, Ellie Willard and forward Monica Devine round out the junior and senior classes. Sophomores Emerie Adams and Akvile Babraityte return to bolster the wing rotation, while newcomer Brittney Anderson stands as the team's lone freshman.
 
Lawrence intentionally structured the non-conference schedule to test the team's limits early. The slate features four challenging matchups before conference play begins, including a game against NCAA Division II opponent Oklahoma Baptist and contests against three teams that made the postseason last year.
 
"The SAC is an extremely competitive conference, so I wanted to put together a schedule that would test us and help us grow," Lawrence said. "Ultimately, we want to put ourselves in a position to make the postseason and make some noise once we get there."
 
Assistant coach Hollis Giles returns to round out the coaching staff for an OCU team positioned to make a disciplined run this winter.