The women’s college basketball season is just around the corner, and Inside NU continues with its Northwestern player previews. Here’s a look at the returning reserves for NU this season.
Kat Righeimer, Sophomore Guard/Forward (6’1”)
High School: Sage Hill School (Costa Mesa, CA)
The sophomore guard/forward earned her scholarship after joining the team as a walk-on. Righeimer had a strong performance against Illinois last season, scoring seven points with four rebounds and two assists on 3-for-3 shooting in 13 minutes. Her efficient shooting (albeit in limited attempts) and knowledge of McKeown’s system make her a valuable depth piece who could see increased minutes if her practice performance continues to impress.
Claire Keswick, Sophomore Guard/Forward (6’0”)
High School: Tabor Academy (Wrentham, MA)
The Massachusetts native offers positional versatility as a 6’1” wing. Keswick was a four-year varsity player and captain at Tabor Academy, where she shot 44% from three-point range as a junior while averaging more than a steal per game. Though she saw minimal action as a first-year (four appearances), her 3-and-D potential could earn her increased opportunities as a sophomore, especially with Northwestern’s need for improved perimeter shooting after finishing last in the Big Ten at 28.6% from deep.
Rachel Mutombo, Junior Forward (6’3”)
High School: Good Counsel (Silver Spring, MD)
The junior forward enters her third year in the program seeking to become a rotation piece for NU. Standing at 6’3”, Mutombo provides valuable depth and has been developing within McKeown’s system for two full seasons. While she hasn’t cracked the lineup yet, the departure of three senior forwards (Taylor Williams, Caileigh Walsh and Mercy Ademusayo) creates a significant opportunity for playing time in the frontcourt. Her two years of practicing against Big Ten-caliber competition and learning McKeown’s defensive schemes could prove valuable if she earns minutes this season.
Crystal Wang, Junior Forward (6’2”)
High School: Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, CA)
The Beijing native returns for her junior season after an injury-shortened sophomore campaign, where she appeared in just three games. Wang showed promise as a first-year, hitting her first career three-pointer and scoring a season-high nine points against Bradley. At Sierra Canyon, she averaged 10.2 PPG and 5.0 RPG over four seasons while playing alongside current USC star JuJu Watkins. She will look to become a rotation player for the ‘Cats this season.
Lauren Trumpy, Senior Forward (6’5”)
High School: Trinity High School (Camp Hill, PA)
The senior forward returns for her final season as an experienced post presence. Standing at 6’5”, Trumpy provides the tallest option on the roster, giving Northwestern valuable size off the bench. While she hasn’t been a major contributor in previous seasons, her height and four years in McKeown’s system make her an important depth option.
With 16 players on the roster and only so many minutes to distribute, not all of these reserves will see playing time. McKeown has historically relied on nine-player rotations, meaning several of these players will need to stay ready while waiting for their opportunity.
The non-conference schedule, featuring six home games at Welsh-Ryan Arena including matchups against IU Indianapolis (Nov. 5), Southern Illinois-Edwardsville (Nov. 9) and Maryland Eastern Shore (Nov. 14), provides the perfect opportunity for McKeown to experiment with different combinations and give his reserves valuable experience before Big Ten play begins December 7th against Ohio State.
As Northwestern aims to improve on three straight nine-win seasons (9-18 in 2024-25 with a 2-16 Big Ten record) and send McKeown into retirement on a high note, the contribution from this group of reserves could make all the difference. With so many returning players hungry to prove themselves, the depth that emerges from this group could determine whether the Wildcats can engineer a turnaround in what promises to be an emotional farewell season for their coach.