Cal Women’s Basketball Coach Charmin Smith sat down with me for fifteen minutes last week for a conversation touching on topics ranging from recruiting overseas to the West Coast heavy non-conference schedule. A couple highlights from the recording;
“We love the Aussies!”
Aja Parham-Ammar played for Coach Smith when Smith was an assistant at Boston College in the mid-00’s. Parham-Ammar joined the Adelaide Lightning in late 2025 and is a key conduit into the Australian talent pipeline.
“I think this is just a really cool place to be right now for Women’s Basketball.”
Coach Smith comments on the institutional support with GM Meghin Williams, revamped facilities in a dedicated practice gym and new locker room, before transitioning to how the Valkyries are driving interest in Women’s Basketball in the Bay area.
The full interview is below, and can found on youtube in our Write For California channel.
The Golden Bears open the season on November 2nd, hosting the Washington State Cougars.