Kansas women’s basketball’s Brandon Schneider shares offseason update
Check out everything Kansas women’s basketball coach Brandon Schneider had to say Tuesday as the offseason continues for the Jayhawks.
LAWRENCE — The Kansas women’s basketball program will look to bounce back this season, after missing out on last season’s NCAA tournament.
Here are some takeaways from what coach Brandon Schneider and senior guard Elle Evans had to say earlier this month as they continue to prepare during the offseason:
What does Brandon Schneider think about Kansas’ freshman recruiting class?
It’s no secret how talented Kansas’ freshman class is, with a trio of 247Sports Composite five-star players in guard Keeley Parks, forward Jaliya Davis, and guard Libby Fandel. Tatyonna Brown, a forward, is another member of the group and someone Schneider is excited about. The ability to have all of them on campus, building chemistry with each other and their other teammates, is something Schneider and his coaching staff have been looking forward to for a while.
These newcomers are a key reason for the optimism around the program ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. Generally speaking, Schneider said he has high expectations for the team and its trajectory. He added that KU’s administration has continued to invest in the team, which has allowed them to recruit as well as they ever have in this new era of college athletics. Prior to missing the NCAA tournament in 2025, Schneider and company had gone to two NCAA tournaments in three years with a 2023 Postseason WNIT title in between.
What kind of a factor could Libby Fandel be?
Schneider mused that of that recruiting class, from when they started recruiting Fandel until the end of her high school career, she was the most improved player. He doesn’t know if he could have said when she committed last year that she would become the state of Iowa’s Gatorade player of the year. He described her as a big guard, a very good athlete, a quality shooter, and a versatile talent who can immediately contribute.
How might Indiana transfer Lilly Meister fit in?
As Evans would point out, senior forward Lilly Meister’s arrival as a transfer from Indiana is another reason for optimism. Some significant roles will need to be filled, and in addition to the freshmen, Meister will factor into that competition for playing time. Schneider envisions his team playing with two forwards on the court together, instead of having four guards out there simultaneously.
Does Brandon Schneider see Kansas adding any more players?
There are currently 12 players listed on Kansas’ roster, which leaves the Jayhawks with a few spots to work with should they choose to fill them. But according to Schneider, KU is probably done. He noted a big difference in today’s world between having scholarships available and having the money needed to bring players in.
How healthy are the Jayhawks?
Asked about the players battling injuries at the end of last season, including Evans and junior guard S’Mya Nichols, Schneider said he thinks the team is in a better spot — although he didn’t specifically name anyone. Having the chance to take some time off helps, of course. He added that everyone went through physicals and most everyone was cleared to participate fully.
Evans, who did not play in the last two games, said she’s back to being full-go and feels good. A 28-game starter last season for a team that went 16-14, she proved to be its most prolific 3-point shooter.
Have they talked about their goals for the season?
At that point in early June, Schneider said they hadn’t discussed their goals for the season. They talked about what they wanted to get out of the next eight weeks in a team meeting.
Evans, though, is excited about the prospect of having more depth than they did last season. That should allow Kansas to aim higher among its Big 12 Conference competitors.
Did the team gain anything from last season?
Schneider mentioned Nichols continued to be one of the best players in the country, and that Evans had a terrific year. He also highlighted that Regan Williams, a forward who’s back for her sophomore year, probably exceeded expectations. In that order, those were Kansas’s three leading scorers last season.
Despite the team’s challenges, Schneider thought Sania Copeland, Laia Conesa and Brittany Harshaw all playing more minutes than anticipated will set them up well to compete for playing time this season. Copeland and Conesa became regular starters last season for the Jayhawks, while Harshaw gained some starting experience and was a key contributor. Copeland will be a senior guard this season, while Conesa and Harshaw are both junior guards.
Evans recalled that many people stepped up in roles they probably didn’t think they’d play. She thinks Copeland, who’s listed at 5-foot-7, might have even had time playing the 1, 2, 3 and 4 roles on the court. In Evans’ mind, people playing out of position show how good of a teammate they are.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.