The Portland State women’s basketball team announced on Apr. 21 the addition of two incoming freshmen, Maaya Lucas and Maile Starns, completing its roster for the 2026-27 season.
The recruitment of Lucas and Starns is significant as it finalizes a large freshman class for the Vikings. Nine out of fifteen players on next season’s roster will be freshmen, including two redshirts and seven true freshmen. The new additions are part of a ten-member newcomer group that also features three transfers: Jordyn Smith from Cal Poly Humboldt, Teagan Colvin from UNLV, and Sara Barhoum from Oregon.
Lucas joins Portland State after helping Tualatin High School win the 2025 OSAA 6A state title alongside future teammates Alex Padilla and Jordyn Smith. She contributed to four consecutive Three Rivers League championships at Tualatin and was named honorable mention all-state as a senior. “Maaya brings great length and athleticism, and is a proven winner at Tualatin,” Portland State head coach Karlie Burris said of Lucas. “Her versatility on offense and the way she gets after it on the defensive end will be huge assets to our program. We are excited to welcome another local product to the Park Blocks.”
Starns arrives from Legend High School in Parker, Colorado, where she led her team to their first-ever appearances in state quarterfinals (three times), semifinals (twice), and championship game (once). She received all-state honorable mention honors as a senior along with first-team all-league recognition, in addition to being named to the Nike Tournament of Champions All-Colorado Team in 2026. “Maile is an explosive guard that can score at all three levels,” Burris said about Starns. “She will bring great energy and effort from day one. She is a hard-nosed defender that doesn’t shy away from a challenge. We are excited to welcome her competitive spirit and grit to the program.”
Both players come from athletic backgrounds; Lucas’s parents played college basketball while Starns’s father played for Colorado School of Mines.
With these additions, Portland State continues building toward what appears to be an extensive youth movement within its program.
