The year 2019 was the last time Arizona State Women’s Basketball played in the NCAA Tournament. The Sun Devils advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the 2018–19 season under legendary coach Charli Turner Thorne. As Turner Thorne has moved into the broadcast seat, calling Sun Devil games, first-year head coach Molly Miller is looking to follow in the footsteps of one of ASU’s most decorated coaches.
Photo Cred: Arizona State Sun Devils
Seven years later, Miller has led ASU back to March Madness. Miller started at her alma mater, Drury University, where she had tremendous success. During her six seasons as head coach, she went a combined 180–17. In her final year at the Division II school, Drury went 32–0. At her next stop, Grand Canyon, she led the Lopes to the school’s first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2025.
A high winning percentage followed her to GCU, where she went 117–38 through five seasons in Phoenix. Arizona State was attracted to Miller’s early career success in turning around programs and sustaining a winning culture. Her teams have built a reputation for an intense, high-pressing style of defense. The question going into Miller’s first season at a Power 4 school: would it work against some of the nation’s top teams?
The short answer is yes. Miller has already surpassed Turner Thorne and others in a couple of statistical achievements. This season, she led the Sun Devils to the best start in program history at 15–0. She also recorded the most wins by a first-year head coach in program history (24 wins). Along with a new coach came a total rehaul for the Maroon and Gold.
This year’s team looks nothing like the year before, with 10 new players joining Miller’s squad. Miller targeted players who would fit the new play style, along with those who brought winning experience. Sixth-year graduate senior Gabby Elliot has been a key leader—capable of scoring inside while also picking up ball handlers 90 feet from the basket. She improved from 37 steals last year at Penn State to 56 steals in the 2025–26 season. Another fifth-year player, Last-Tear Poa, who won a championship at LSU in 2023, has also been a key leader.
“They took a leap of faith on me to entrust their last college career season with just a blind leap of faith,” Miller said, per Sun Devil Athletics.
On Selection Sunday, the Sun Devils waited patiently to hear their name called. With the final spot up for grabs, the team sprang out of their seats in celebration when the ASU pitchfork appeared on the screen. The Sun Devils’ season ended in the First Four, falling to Virginia 57–55. After the hard-fought battle, Miller reflected on the season as a whole.
“No one can say that this team didn’t try from our first game all the way to the last possession,” Miller said in the postgame presser.
Photo Cred: Arizona State Sun Devils
Miller and ASU both hope this is just the beginning for the program. The first-year head coach addressed the team’s impact and future direction.
“One loss doesn’t define them, but this team defined a season that is going to be the trajectory of this program,” Miller said in the postgame presser.
Looking ahead to next year, Miller will need to replace six seniors. Two key points of emphasis in recruiting will be adding size and rebounding while maintaining the fast-paced play style she has become known for. In the season-ending press conference, senior guard Marley Washenitz reflected on how Miller built a strong culture in year one.
“She recruited like-minded people who think like her, who believe in [Miller] and her staff…I’ve been really fortunate to be a part of that,” Washenitz said.
With a 14-game improvement from last season, things are trending upward in Tempe. Miller’s consistent success at her previous stops provides hope that the Sun Devils are on the right path with her at the helm. The culture she is building is beginning to show in both the team’s confidence and execution on the court. If that momentum continues, Arizona State could quickly reestablish itself as a consistent contender in the conference.
