CEDAR CITY, Utah - As winter inches closer in Cedar City, the excitement and energy around the Southern Utah women's basketball team steadily grows. A motivated roster full of new faces looks to take one final lap of the Western Athletic Conference before moving to the Big Sky.

With two of the Thunderbirds' top three rebounders graduating last year, the way SUU's players step up in the paint will play a big role in their success throughout the 2025-2026 season.

Head Coach Tracy Mason Said:

"Our posts have put in tremendous work since July, and I'm so impressed with their overall improvement. We are strong and aggressive in the post and have also been doing an excellent job of running the floor."

Names to Watch For

Brooklyn Fely

Earlier this year, the Thunderbirds acquired a skilled two-time Junior College All-American in Fely. Among a career filled with accolades, she averaged 22 points and 13 rebounds in the 2024-25 season and scored 30+ points seven times last year. 

The NWAC tournament single-game scoring record-holder has quickly cemented herself as a critical piece of Southern Utah's team. Expect Fely to see significant minutes and shine on both sides of the court.

Head Coach Tracy Mason said, "Brooklyn has been a key addition to our team. She is so gifted around the basket but also has the athleticism and speed to play on the perimeter. She's an exceptional rebounder and another player who holds herself and her teammates to a very high standard. She's going to be fun to watch."

Olivia Malafu

Part of an impressive freshman class in the 2024-25 season, Malafu prepares to take the next step for her sophomore season. Last year, she shot at a clip of 51.1% from the field and brought down 24 rebounds in 18 games for the Thunderbirds.

Malafu should see minutes in the paint for the Thunderbirds this season as she continues to develop her game.

Ashley Banks

As the team's lone senior, Banks adds a veteran presence in the paint. Before suffering a season-ending injury in 2025, she averaged just over 11 minutes a game off the bench and tallied 67 rebounds and 85 points.

Look for Banks to make an impact on the defensive end, as she attempts to add to a team-leading 54 career blocks.

Denver Anderson

Entering her sophomore year, Anderson will be a staple post-player for years to come. Last year, she logged 2.1 points per game at an efficient 52.4% from the field, despite only averaging 5.3 minutes per game.

Anderson will provide a valuable spark for the Thunderbirds as she, like Malafu, continues to improve and grow as a player.

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