Magalhães, Lobo women eager to get things started

Joana Magalhães got tossed in the fire almost immediately for the UNM women’s basketball team last season.

As one might expect, the 5-foot-5 freshman from Lisbon, Portugal in a new country with a limited command of English got a little bit scorched from time to time. Matching up against taller, more-experienced players on a regular basis, Magalhães had to learn about Division I basketball the hard way — and her fiery competitive nature occasionally slowed the process.

But Magalhães also proved herself in 2024-25. She forced her way into UNM coach Mike Bradbury’s starting lineup and steadily improved as the season went on. Magalhães earned a spot on the Mountain West All-Freshman Team and helped UNM exceed modest expectations.

Things are different this year.

The Lobos, who will raise the 2025-26 curtain Wednesday with a home exhibition game against Adams State, have six key returners and a talented set of newcomers on their roster. Magalhães, one of three returning starters along with Alyssa Hargrove and Destinee Hooks, has a better idea of what to expect and high aspirations for herself and for UNM.

“We can do a lot,” she said. “If we want to, if we believe, we can be really, really good. We have talent, we have hard-working players, we have everything. We just have to keep working, keep trusting each other, keep believing.”

Belief and confidence are big parts of Magalhães’ skill set. She plays with a chip on her shoulder in intrasquad scrimmages and games, a trait Bradbury appreciates.

“Jo’s toughness and grittiness are what the team needs,” he said. “She doesn’t back down from anybody and that’s what makes her good. She needs to play right up to that line but not cross it, and she’s done a good job figuring out where the line is. Jo’s had a really good fall.”

Magalhães has transformed from unheralded freshman to one of UNM’s leaders as a sophomore and, ironically, language is part of the reason. First, she’s more comfortable with English (including doing interviews). Second, her fluency with Portuguese is coming in handy these days. She’s one of four players on UNM’s diverse roster that speak it.

“There are still some kinds of (English) words that I struggle with,” she said, “but yeah, I’m much more comfortable. It’s actually cool that we have four players on the team who speak Portuguese, too. In America, that doesn’t happen a lot. It’s nice. It kind of makes us feel like we are home.”

Magalhães is setting the bar high for 2025-26. Individually she’s shooting to improve her numbers and make a run at All-Mountain West honors and she’s convinced UNM can make a run at a Mountain West title. And unlike last season, she’s taking a leadership role to heart. That includes helping new teammates prepare for their first home game in the Pit.

“I just tell them, ‘Wait ‘til you see it,’” Magalhães said, “coming down the ramp with everyone cheering for you, it’s amazing. That’s when you believe.”

SCOUTING REPORT: Like the Lobos, Adams State is coming into 2025-26 with high expectations. After finishing 19-12 and advancing to NCAA Division II Regionals last season, the Grizzlies have three of their top four scorers returning — all three with prior experience in the Pit.

Leading scorer Kiiyani Anitielu (18.0 ppg) is a Farmington High School alum, while fellow guard Elaina Watson played for rival Piedra Vista. Both played in a 60-45 UNM exhibition win at the Pit in 2023. Adams State forward Taejhuan Hill (13.7 points, 10.0 rebounds per game) played prep basketball at Volcano Vista.

Bradbury said the Lobos are just looking forward to suiting up for a game.

“We need to play,” he said, “just for our own mental health. Our scrimmages have been getting pretty intense and we need another opponent. Some years you’re not really 100% ready for your first exhibition game. We are.”