You’ve probably looked at the Oklahoma State women's basketball roster in years past and seen a revolving door. It’s been the reality of the portal era. But honestly, the 2025-26 group feels like the first time Head Coach Jacie Hoyt has truly "built" a roster rather than just "assembling" one. There is a massive difference between the two. One is a collection of talent; the other is a team designed to survive the Big 12 gauntlet.
The Cowgirls are coming off a 25-7 season. People expected a drop-off after some key veterans left, but Hoyt doubled down. This year’s team is a wild mix of elite scoring guards, physical UCF transfers, and some 6-foot-5 length that OSU hasn't seen in the paint for a long time.
It’s fun to watch.
The Core Returners: The "Heard" Mentality
If you aren't talking about Stailee Heard, you aren't watching Oklahoma State basketball. She’s been the leading scorer for two years straight. Basically, she is the engine. At 5-foot-11, she plays much bigger than her height, and her 16.8 points per game last season proved she’s a legitimate Big 12 Player of the Year candidate.
Joining her in the backcourt is Micah Gray. She’s the spark plug. Gray dropped 13.7 points per game last year and provides that "microwave" scoring ability where she can hit three or four triples in a two-minute span. When the Oklahoma State women's basketball roster was thin on depth a couple of seasons ago, players like Gray had to play 38 minutes a night.
That’s not the case anymore.
Jadyn Wooten and Macey Huard have developed into reliable contributors who don't just "give the starters a breather." They actually change the pace of the game. Wooten, specifically, is a name to watch for a massive jump in production this season. She showed flashes of brilliance as a freshman, and the word out of Stillwater is that her confidence is at an all-time high.
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Portal Power: The New Faces in Stillwater
Jacie Hoyt went into the portal with a specific shopping list: shooting and interior grit. She found both.
Amari Whiting is probably the most intriguing addition. She transferred from BYU after a complicated situation there involving her mother’s coaching exit. She’s a slasher. She’s aggressive. She brings an edge that this team needs when they go on the road to places like Ames or Manhattan.
Then you have Haleigh Timmer. She’s a 40% shooter from deep who came over from South Dakota State. If you leave her open, the ball is going in. It’s that simple.
The Bigs: Fixing the Paint
For the last few seasons, OSU has struggled against the massive centers in this conference. To fix that, Hoyt brought in:
- Wilnie Joseph: A 6-foot-5 center from McNeese State. She’s the tallest player on the team and a pure rim protector.
- Favour Ogechukwu Onoh: A 6-foot-5 "wild card" who played in the Philippines. Her rebounding numbers are eye-popping, but the question is how her game translates to the Big 12’s physicality.
- Achol Akot: A UCF transfer who knows exactly how to play "bully ball." She’s the veteran presence in the post that ensures the younger bigs don't get pushed around.
Why the 2025-26 Season Feels Different
Most teams in the Big 12 are either "old" or "rebuilding." OSU is somehow both. They have the veteran leadership of Heard and Timmer, but they also have a freshman like Lena Girardi who was a high-level recruit and could potentially push for starting minutes by February.
The depth is the real story here. In 2023, when injuries hit, the season sputtered. This year? If a guard goes down, there are three others waiting to take those minutes without a significant drop in production. It’s a luxury Hoyt hasn't had since she arrived in Stillwater.
People often overlook the defensive versatility of this Oklahoma State women's basketball roster. With the length of Praise Egharevba and the speed of Whiting, they can switch almost every screen. That’s a nightmare for traditional offenses.
The Outlook
The Big 12 is brutal. There's no other way to put it. But this Cowgirl team is projected to finish in the top four for a reason. They have the shooting to win shootouts and the size to win "ugly" games in the 50s.
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Keep an eye on the chemistry. Transfers usually take a semester to gel, but this group seems to have skipped that phase. If the "Heard-Whiting-Gray" trio clicks early, the Cowgirls aren't just an NCAA Tournament team—they're a threat to win the whole conference.
Actionable Insights for Cowgirl Fans:
- Watch the rotations early: Hoyt is going to experiment with the 6-foot-5 towers (Joseph and Onoh) to see if they can play together or if a small-ball lineup with Akot at the five is more effective.
- Mark the BYU game: When Amari Whiting faces her former team, expect fireworks. That’s a high-emotion game that could define her season.
- Focus on the 3-point line: This team is built to shoot. If they are hitting above 35% as a unit, they are almost impossible to beat at Gallagher-Iba Arena.