Women’s Basketball Kicks Off Official Practice For 2025-26 Campaign
September 22, 2025 | Women's Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The countdown for the 2025-26 season is on, with less than 50 days until North Carolina women's basketball hits the court for the first time. Six new Tar Heels took the court today in Carmichael Arena, joining eight returners for the first official practice of the new season.
"It's interesting, as I told them before today that in the preseason, we want to talk about building chemistry, building trust and getting better. This is the competitive season now," said head coach Courtney Banghart. "Everything we do from this moment forward is about preparing to beat someone else. To have Nyla and Indya's last first day and then the young guys' first, first day is something special."
Welcoming back eight letter winners from last season's Sweet 16 squad, Carolina taking on a loaded non-conference slate in year seven under head coach Courtney Banghart. Facing off against three of last season's Final Four teams between exhibitions and regular season match-ups, the Tar Heels look to make some early season noise.
In its 13-game slate against non-conference teams, Carolina tests six teams who reached the NCAA Tournament last season. Five of these teams who went on to win a game in the big dance.
After accounting for 33% of Carolina's scoring last season, the trio of Lanie Grant, Reniya Kelly and Indya Nivar return. Grant looks to build on a stellar freshman campaign where she appeared in all 37 games and knocked down the second-most three-pointers on the team en route to earning ACC All-Freshman team honors.
Entering her third year in Chapel Hill, the growth of Kelly has discernible as the guard increased her scoring by over 100% between her freshman and sophomore seasons. The only Tar Heel to post back-to-back 20-point scoring outings last season, Kelly earned herself a spot on the All-ACC Second Team.
A defensive force, Nivar is back for her final season in Carolina Blue. Snagging 68 steals last year, Nivar recorded the most by any player under Banghart in a single season. The Apex, N.C., native averaged 8.3 points per game and dished out career-best five assists three times in 2024-25.
Laila Hull, Blanca Thomas, Ciera Toomey and Jordan Zubich hit the court for their second year of collegiate action and are primed to make a sophomore jump, while Sydney Barker is set to suit up for her junior campaign.
Reloading with three of ESPN's top-80 recruits in the Class of 2025, two Power Four transfers and a freshman with international experience on the pro circuit, the six newcomers look to blend seamlessly into Banghart's system. Elina Aarnisalo and Nyla Harris are poised to make an impact, as Aarnisalo played in 37 games for UCLA during their Final Four run and Harris boasts 105 games of playing experience from three seasons at Louisville.
Carolina squares off in an exhibition match-up in a familiar foe, facing off against South Carolina on Oct. 30 from State Farm Arena in Atlanta at 6 p.m. ET. Opening the regular season on Nov. 3 in Chapel Hill, UNC hosts Elon for a Monday matinee at 11 a.m. ET for Field Trip Day.
Season tickets for the 2025-26 season remain on sale, For more information regarding tickets, visit goheels.com/tickets or reach out to the UNC Athletic Ticket Office at 919-926-2296 or tickets@unc.edu.
Stay up to date with the latest North Carolina women's basketball news on X at @UNCWBB, Instagram @UNCWBB and Facebook at Carolina Women's Basketball.
"It's interesting, as I told them before today that in the preseason, we want to talk about building chemistry, building trust and getting better. This is the competitive season now," said head coach Courtney Banghart. "Everything we do from this moment forward is about preparing to beat someone else. To have Nyla and Indya's last first day and then the young guys' first, first day is something special."
Welcoming back eight letter winners from last season's Sweet 16 squad, Carolina taking on a loaded non-conference slate in year seven under head coach Courtney Banghart. Facing off against three of last season's Final Four teams between exhibitions and regular season match-ups, the Tar Heels look to make some early season noise.
In its 13-game slate against non-conference teams, Carolina tests six teams who reached the NCAA Tournament last season. Five of these teams who went on to win a game in the big dance.
After accounting for 33% of Carolina's scoring last season, the trio of Lanie Grant, Reniya Kelly and Indya Nivar return. Grant looks to build on a stellar freshman campaign where she appeared in all 37 games and knocked down the second-most three-pointers on the team en route to earning ACC All-Freshman team honors.
Entering her third year in Chapel Hill, the growth of Kelly has discernible as the guard increased her scoring by over 100% between her freshman and sophomore seasons. The only Tar Heel to post back-to-back 20-point scoring outings last season, Kelly earned herself a spot on the All-ACC Second Team.
A defensive force, Nivar is back for her final season in Carolina Blue. Snagging 68 steals last year, Nivar recorded the most by any player under Banghart in a single season. The Apex, N.C., native averaged 8.3 points per game and dished out career-best five assists three times in 2024-25.
Laila Hull, Blanca Thomas, Ciera Toomey and Jordan Zubich hit the court for their second year of collegiate action and are primed to make a sophomore jump, while Sydney Barker is set to suit up for her junior campaign.
Reloading with three of ESPN's top-80 recruits in the Class of 2025, two Power Four transfers and a freshman with international experience on the pro circuit, the six newcomers look to blend seamlessly into Banghart's system. Elina Aarnisalo and Nyla Harris are poised to make an impact, as Aarnisalo played in 37 games for UCLA during their Final Four run and Harris boasts 105 games of playing experience from three seasons at Louisville.
Carolina squares off in an exhibition match-up in a familiar foe, facing off against South Carolina on Oct. 30 from State Farm Arena in Atlanta at 6 p.m. ET. Opening the regular season on Nov. 3 in Chapel Hill, UNC hosts Elon for a Monday matinee at 11 a.m. ET for Field Trip Day.
Season tickets for the 2025-26 season remain on sale, For more information regarding tickets, visit goheels.com/tickets or reach out to the UNC Athletic Ticket Office at 919-926-2296 or tickets@unc.edu.
Stay up to date with the latest North Carolina women's basketball news on X at @UNCWBB, Instagram @UNCWBB and Facebook at Carolina Women's Basketball.
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