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.
Thanks for the great interview with Coach Smith. Excited to see our Cal women hoopsters take a leap forward with a deeper and more seasoned roster, beginning with budding superstar Lulu Twidale. Go Bears!
Charmin is articulate, positive and engaged giving us a good perspective of the goals for the upcoming WBB season playing in the ACC. Coach Heidi called me this summer and I will continue to attend all the home games. I love the environment in Haas, making basketball friends including students. My son now attends games, and enjoys sitting courtside besides longtime season ticket holders. I grew up in the Northeast close to colleges and Universities. I enjoy being on the Beautiful Cal Campus. GO BEARS!!!