Gustin named to All-WCC Preseason team, BYU picked 3rd in preseason poll

SAN MATEO, Calif. – BYU forward Lauren Gustin was named to the All-West Coast Conference Preseason team as voted by the coaches in the league’s preseason poll.

The Cougars were voted to finish third in the conference, behind Gonzaga and Portland. The Bulldogs received nine first-place votes while the Pilots earned one.

“I think it definitely gives us some motivation heading into this year,” head coach Amber Whiting said. “I think we will surprise a lot of people with the team we have and I am looking forward to getting started.”

Last year, BYU won the regular-season championship with a 15-1 mark in WCC play and a 26-4 overall record, playing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Cougars were picked to win the league in 2021-22 in the preseason poll.

BYU is replacing four of five starters from last year’s tournament team, with Gustin as the lone returning starter for this season.

Gustin, a junior, is a two-time All-WCC First Team selection after earning her second bid last season with 10.7 points per game and 11.5 rebounds. She had 14 double-doubles last year and was a finalist for the Katrina McClain Award. An AP All-America honorable mention in 2020-21, Gustin had 15 double-doubles to lead the Cougars that season.

While Gustin is the only starter returning, there is experience back with Kaylee Smiler, a veteran with 63 games under her belt, including 22 games last year. Nani Falatea returns as a sophomore after shooting 50 percent from behind the arc last season (21 of 42) in 28 games. Emma Calvert, the 2021 Gatorade Player of the Year is also back after playing in 22 games as a true freshman.

BYU plays an exhibition contest against Westminster on Oct. 27 at the Marriott Center before opening the regular season on the road at Colorado State on Nov. 8.

See the WCC preseason poll below:
1. Gonzaga (9)   81
2. Portland (1)   71
3. BYU              55
4. San Francisco 54
5. Saint Mary's  47
6. San Diego      46
7. LMU             39
8. Santa Clara    29
9. Pacific           17
10. Pepperdine 11