The UNLV women's basketball team opens the 2026-27 season Monday against No. 3 USC with a significantly revamped roster. Coach Lindy La Rocque, entering her seventh season with a 149-41 record and three consecutive Mountain West Coach of the Year awards, has integrated six freshmen and four transfers following the departure of six graduating seniors.
Junior forward Meadow Roland returns as the team's leading scorer after averaging 15 points per game on 44.1% shooting last season. Roland embraces her new role as a veteran leader for the younger group. "Right now we are definitely super excited," Roland said. "I am excited to play with this team and we are going to play fast, we are going to play hard, and we are going to score."
Among the newcomers, hometown recruit Keonni "Bubbles" Lewis, a four-star point guard from Democracy Prep ranked among ESPN's top 100, is expected to play a significant role. Lewis recently cleared to play after an eight-month injury absence. "We need Keonni, also known as Bubbles," La Rocque said. "She has great energy, but she is playing a little bit of catch-up... what she has been able to make up in just two weeks' time is really incredible."
Despite the roster turnover, the Lady Rebels were picked as Mountain West preseason favorites for the fifth straight year, receiving 16 of 20 first-place votes. UNLV finished 21-11 overall and 15-5 in conference play last season, earning a No. 2 seed in the WBIT after three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. La Rocque said the program has established an identity of competing for championships annually. "We are grateful for the respect of our peers, but I think we have earned that," she said.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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