Women's Basketball Adds Guards Carly Amborn from Stanford, Shannon Dowell from Missouri
Backcourt depth as the 2026-27 roster is taking shape
After adding a couple of frontcourt players on Wednesday, Coach Smith yesterday announced the addition of two backcourt players to bolster the roster for next season.
Shannon Dowell started 29 games for the Missouri Tigers last year. The 5’ 10” combo guard averaged 14.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, and recorded five double-doubles on the season. Dowell started her college career at Illinois State, where she averaged 17.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in 2024-25. In the official press release, Coach Smith praised Dowell’s aggressive approach to the game and her versatility;
“She truly is a triple-threat option that has shown the ability to attack the glass and get others involved on the offensive end of the court. Having played in the SEC last season, she will be an impact player right away and be ready for the ACC."
Carly Amborn is a four-star recruit from Larkspur and earned multiple North Coast accolades during her 2024-25 senior year. She played sparingly for Kate Paye at Stanford last year, totaling 59 minutes across 16 games. Amborn’s mother, Pam Nelson-Campbell, was a three-time tennis All-American for the Golden Bears in the mid-90’s. On joining the Bears, Amborn praised Coach Smith’s team culture;
"I cannot wait to continue my family legacy here. Cal truly feels like home. Coach Charmin is the ultimate leader and I am incredibly excited to play for someone who cares so deeply and believes in her players on and off the court. I feel so lucky to join this team."
With the four additions this week, Cal currently has 14 players on the roster.
Returners(7): G Lulu Twidale, F Taylor Barnes, G Mjracle Sheppard, G Gisella Maul, G Anastasia Drosouni, F Naya Ujukwu, G Sofia Bowes
Freshman Incoming(4); F Jovana Jevtovic, F Zara Russell, G/F Anna Lagonikaki, G Ruby Perkins
Portal Incoming(3); C Albina Syla, G Carly Amborn, G Shannon Dowell
Rosters can have up to 15 players, so there is one spot remaining. Or, they may choose to keep it open and add a non-scholarship player before the season starts.
Welcome to Berkeley, Carly and Shannon!
Some good additions. Never easy to predict, but I think we have enough talent to dance next year. Coach Smith is doing her thing!
Next season’s roster looks a lot stronger and more experienced than last season, especially at guard
Biggest key however is the return of 7 players, including 4 starters and a key rotation player
The added benefit is they will have more experience in the schemes