Kim Caldwell isn’t messing around. After the 2025-26 season wrapped, the Lady Vols coach made it crystal clear she was setting the standard for the program *her way*, and it sounds like it’s already paying off big time with an entirely new 15-player roster. This isn’t just talk, either. Caldwell, in her third year, is already seeing results from this massive shift in approach.
This Is All About Basketball, Period.
Caldwell’s move after the last season was described as the biggest change in how she’s running things. She wants everything done the right way, focusing on establishing a culture built on selflessness and hard work. For her, it’s gotta be *all about basketball*. Having a completely fresh roster of 15 players for the 2026-27 season has apparently been a huge boost in getting this new standard cemented. You bring in all new faces, and it’s easier to hit that reset button, right?
Players Are Fighting For Rim Time
You want to know if a team is bought in? Look at practice. Caldwell dropped a quote on October 13 at SEC Basketball Tipoff ’27 at the Hotel Wildemont that tells you everything you need to know: “They love to be in the gym so much, and it’s such a special place right now because if you show up to practice 30 minutes early in our gym, you don’t get a basket,” she said. “The baskets are full. There’s already a player in there shooting, getting work.” Players like Naomi White, Jada Eads, Gabby Minus, Riley Makalusky, Zhen Craft, Harper Peterson, Rylie Theuerkauf, Irene Oboavwoduo, Kennedy Fauntleroy, Shaelyn Steele, Kaylene Smikle, and Fatmata Janneh were all there back on August 3, 2026, working their tails off. That’s not just commitment; it’s a competitive fire sparking within the team itself. Caldwell even said, “So it’s a competitive thing to make sure that we’re getting our rim time, we’re getting time with individual coach. That’s been really fun for us to be around.” When showing up early is a competition, you know the culture is real.
It’s clear Caldwell’s “her way” approach is creating an environment where players are pushing each other from the jump. With a brand new squad already showing this level of dedication, the stage is set for an intense season. We’re gonna be watching closely to see how this selflessness and hard work translates to the court once games truly get underway.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply