Fighting Cacti Women's Basketball 2023-24 Season news

We are taking a moment to share an important update regarding the Women's Basketball 2023-2024 Season. After careful consideration and consultation with Athletic Director JJ Santa Cruz, Head Coach Kelin Clement, and Assistant Coach Maya Whiteside, we have collectively decided to cancel the upcoming season. While this may come as disappointing news, we want to assure you that this decision was made with the best interests of the program in mind. Unfortunately, we did not have enough eligible players to field a competitive team for the season. However, we want to emphasize that this setback will not deter us from our ultimate goal of building a championship program. Coach Clement and her staff are fully committed to rebuilding the team from the ground up. During the 2023-2024 Season, Coach Clement and Assistant Coach Maya Whiteside will focus on laying the foundation for a mentally tough team. They will actively recruit players with a champion's mindset, i.e., coachability, enthusiasm, concentration, motivation, and a team mentality. Additionally, they will work on team-building through outings and activities that foster a competitive and supportive environment. They will also hold youth camps, welcoming lower-level recruits to build a pathway from youth to the collegiate level in our program. Although we are not competing this season, we will continue to grow a strong basketball program through individual player development that allows athletes to grow and build their skills in a positive environment. Moreover, Coach Clement will utilize this time to earn her Mental Performance Mastery (MPM) Coaching Course Certification, further enhancing her ability to guide and develop the team. Her coaching philosophy centers around success, attitude, and teamwork, emphasizing the importance of each player's contribution to the collective achievement. While wins and losses are not the sole measure of success, we remain committed to developing a women's basketball program that prioritizes athletic success, academic excellence, and personal growth. We encourage you to contact us with any potential athletes who have the mental toughness and drive to contribute to our program. We are eager to review film and information on prospective student-athletes and make timely decisions to ensure their development and future in college basketball.