The University of New Mexico’s women’s basketball team and Head Coach Mike Bradbury are hoping to build on their 18-14 record from last season. The team managed to retain some key talent but due to the ever-changing landscape of college basketball, it also lost multiple players to the transfer portal and graduation. Here's a look at the returning players and new additions to the roster, starting with the returning players.
Destinee Hooks
Hooks — a 5-9 guard — is the most talented and impactful returning player. She had a breakout season last year, averaging 15.0 points per game and 4.0 rebounds per game. She excels at getting downhill and finishing at the rim, but is still a competent outside shooter. The only area for her to improve will be her shot selection.
Alyssa Hargrove
Hargrove is a 5-8 guard; she settled into her role as the lead ball handler around midway through last season. She is tenacious on defense, and her energy can be a spark for the Lobos on both ends of the floor. Hargrove can distribute the ball well, averaging 4.4 assists per game last season and can still put points up herself, having averaged 8.3 PPG.
Joana Magalhães
The freshman had an impressive first season last year, earning Mountain West All-Freshman Team honors. From Lisbon, Portugal, the 5-5 guard has an ability to get to the basket and finish around taller defenders. She averaged 7.1 PPG last season and will likely have a jump to even higher productivity this season.
Nayli Padilla
A 5-9 guard from Spain, Padilla, had an impact off the bench last season, appearing in 25 games. Despite only playing limited minutes, she provides good rebounding skills at the guard position and serves as a solid backup.
Drew Jordon
Jordon played in 18 games last season and averaged 6.7 minutes per game. At 5-11, her hotspot is in the paint, making 57.7% of her shots last season. She lacks a three-point shot though, which limits her usage.
Clarissa Craig
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
While being on the roster for last season, Craig was a medical redshirt and didn’t play in a game. She’s a 6-3 forward and center. She played three seasons at the University of Cincinnati before transferring to UNM. Once she's fully healthy, she should be a useful player with her ability to play in the paint.
Kaia Foster
Foster is a 6-2 guard coming from Chiawana High School in Washington. She made Second Team All-Conference and averaged 13.0 PPG in High School. She also earned a McDonald’s All-American West Nomination. Her recruitment shows Coach Bradbury’s commitment to having a taller team this season.
Cacia Antonio
As a 5-11 Junior guard from Angola, Antonio was one of the top Division III recruits last year. While she is new to UNM, she’s not new to the state. She has played two seasons at New Mexico Junior College. She can go coast-to-coast in transition and quickly get to the basket. She’ll likely be one of the standout additions to this Lobo roster.
Leonor Peixinho
A 6-1 guard, Peixinho is the second player from Portugal and another international player to this globetrotting Lobo roster. She has spent time with the Portuguese national U16 and U20 teams and competed in the 2025 EuroCup. She’ll be a versatile player with a high ceiling, but will take some development to get there.
Tyler Jones
The 5-9 guard, from Memphis, Tennessee, shone in high school after battling a knee injury in 2022. She can attack the basket and has a smooth pull-up jumpshot. Even as an incoming freshman, she is a natural leader.
Emma Najjuma
As a 6-4 forward, Najjuma is currently the tallest player on the team. She’s from Uganda but has a history in New Mexico as she was teammates with Antonio at New Mexico Junior College. She’ll be a vital part of the Lobo frontcourt with her ability to grab rebounds, averaging 6.9 RPG last season. She also played for the Uganda national team and averaged 17.8 PPG and 28.0 RPG in the 2019 FIBA U16 Women’s AfroBasket.
Jessie Joaquim
As the younger sister to Hulda Joaquim — the Lobos’ starting forward last season — Joaquim has a connection to UNM. From Mozambique, she played high school basketball in Portugal, then for Cochise College in Arizona. A 6-2 forward, she’ll bring additional size and rebounding to the Lobos.
Laila Abdurraqib
A 5-6 point guard from Lawrence Central High School, Indiana, Abdurraqib will be a good addition to a team that struggled to find a primary ball handler at points last season. She can turn defense into offense and get out in transition. She can also make threes off the catch and the dribble. She’ll be an exciting freshman to watch this season.
Jaden McKelvey-Francis is the editor-in-chief of the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at editorinchief@dailylobo.com or on X @jadenmckelvey
