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Hannah Walker

Women's Basketball

CSUB Backcourt Built on Versatility and Two-Way Play

Ray Alvarado’s guards bring downhill attacks, perimeter shooting, and a focus on establishing Year One culture

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – With 15 new players coming in to help rebuild the program, the Cal State Bakersfield women's basketball team has spent the last few months building chemistry and establishing the culture first-year Head Coach Ray Alvarado wants to see. As the Roadrunners begin a two-part preview at their 2026-27 roster, Alvarado sees a backcourt built around versatility, basketball IQ and two-way play.

"One of our immediate goals was to form some chemistry fairly quickly, and I think they've done that," Alvarado said. "The main thing for me was establishing the right culture, and I believe we're on that path."

That foundation began with a recruiting emphasis on the Central Valley. Alvarado said bringing players back home and finding athletes who fit the program were priorities in his first season. A Central Valley native who has roots in blue-collar work, Alvarado knows the most important asset his squad has this year will be the support of the local community.

Throughout the summer, Alvardo considered his roster building as a fresh start, saying the group has made progress learning a new system after coming from different programs.

At point guard, Alvarado values a player who can get to the basket, initiate the offense, and lead on the floor. A reliable three-point shot is an added benefit. Madison Johnson, a fifth-year native of Porterville, Calif, and Aloni Oliver, a junior transfer from Fresno State, give the `Runners options as drivers who can also make perimeter shots.

Alvarado also tabbed Nseije Ortiz as someone who can play either point guard or shooting guard. Ortiz brings valuable familiarity to the CSUB roster, returning to Cal State Bakersfield for her final year after spending the 2025-26 season at Chico State.
Shooting guards who can convert opportunities, not simply take shots, will get the most playing time in Alvarado's system. He wants high-level three-point shooting paired with defense and the ability to contribute to a possession even when a player does not score. Alvarado described Azusa Pacific transfer Elyse Mitchell as a dynamic scoring guard, and freshman Malohni Warren has shown she can compete at the collegiate level and shoot the deep ball.

The wing role follows the same emphasis on range and adaptability. Alvarado wants players who can shoot, drive, and score from midrange, while also running the floor, rebounding on offense, and defending bigger or more physical opponents. He said the program needs two-way players who bring unmatched grit.

"They have to have toughness and physicality. They have to be relentless," Alvarado said. "We can't have players who can only do one thing."

Click here to view Cal State Bakersfield's entire roster, including the rest of the `Runner backcourt.
 
The next step, Alvarado said, is helping the group find its rhythm and improve its transition from offense to defense. The Cal State Bakersfield roster breakdown will continue with a separate release focused on the frontcourt in the coming days.

~GoRunners.com~
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Players Mentioned

Nseije Ortiz

#5 Nseije Ortiz

G
5' 6"
Junior
Malohni Warren

#21 Malohni Warren

G
5' 6"
Freshman
Aloni Oliver

#0 Aloni Oliver

G
5' 9"
Junior
Madison Johnson

#23 Madison Johnson

G
5' 6"
Fifth Year
Elyse Mitchell

#3 Elyse Mitchell

G
5' 8"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Nseije Ortiz

#5 Nseije Ortiz

5' 6"
Junior
G
Malohni Warren

#21 Malohni Warren

5' 6"
Freshman
G
Aloni Oliver

#0 Aloni Oliver

5' 9"
Junior
G
Madison Johnson

#23 Madison Johnson

5' 6"
Fifth Year
G
Elyse Mitchell

#3 Elyse Mitchell

5' 8"
Senior
G
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