Fresno State Opens Season with Homegrown Guard Schoonover

The Fresno State women's basketball program kicks off its 2026 campaign with a point guard who has never left the Central Valley. Ryleigh Schoonover, a former star at Clovis West, is set to make her college debut against UC Merced in less than two weeks at the Save Mart Center.

Schoonover enters the Bulldogs roster as part of a talented freshman class. Her background includes a sustained winning streak at the high school level, where the Golden Eagles have captured consecutive Central Section championships for 14 straight years. Clovis West head coach Craig Campbell noted that while the team does not win every season, the goal is to remain a contender annually. "We want to be good every year," Campbell said. "We're not going to win it every year, but we want to be knocking on the door every year."

Rather than travel to a distant conference, Schoonover chose to stay close to her roots. She described the significance of representing her local area at the collegiate level. "To wear that valley 'V' on your chest, it's something different," Schoonover said, noting that outsiders often miss that connection.

Fresno State head coach Ryan McCarthy has high expectations for the newcomer. He identified Schoonover as the top talent in her recruiting class within the region. "In my opinion, Riley was the best player in the area for her class of 2026," McCarthy stated. "Riley came in and proved that right away."

The transition from high school success to Pac-12 competition requires a specific mindset. Schoonover credited Campbell for instilling a culture where excellence is the baseline. "Everything is the standard," she explained. McCarthy agreed that her experience in a title-winning program prepares her for college expectations. "She played with a very good high school basketball program here, and all they did was win," he said. "And so, that's the expectation when she sets out on the floor."

The Bulldogs aim to secure a Pac-12 championship during this season. Schoonover will take the court for her first varsity game at the Save Mart Center as the season opener approaches. Campbell remains confident in her long-term potential for the university. "I think that's one of the things that's so exciting for Coach McCarthy and the staff is she's just scratching the surface on what a gifted player she could be for them," he said.