Fresno State Roster: Ryleigh Schoonover Joins Bulldogs
The Clovis West standout signed with the Pac-12 team and will make her collegiate debut at the Save Mart Center.
By Wei Zhang ·
Ryleigh Schoonover has signed with the Fresno State women's basketball team. The former Clovis West star is entering the program as a freshman for the 2026 season. She chose to stay in the Central Valley rather than attend a school in another region.
Schoonover spent her high school career with a program defined by consistent winning. Clovis West has won the Central Section championship in each of the last 14 years. Coach Craig Campbell noted that the team aims to compete for the title annually. He stated, “We want to be good every year. We’re not going to win it every year, but we want to be knocking on the door every year.”
Fresno State head coach Ryan McCarthy praised Schoonover's impact during her arrival. He identified her as the top player in the area for her graduating class. “In my opinion, Riley was the best player in the area for her class of 2026,” McCarthy said. He added, “Riley came in and proved that right away.”
The guard credits her high school coaching for her current readiness. Schoonover said Campbell prepared her for the standards of the college program. She described the expectations at both levels as identical, noting, “Everything is the standard.” McCarthy agreed that her background in a winning environment sets a baseline for her performance on the court.
Schoonover will begin her college career at the Save Mart Center. Fresno State opens its season against UC Merced in less than two weeks. This matchup marks her first game in a collegiate uniform within the valley. The team is competing in the Pac-12 Conference.
Campbell believes Schoonover has room for further growth. He told ABC30 Action News that her current performance is only the beginning. “I think that’s one of the things that’s so exciting for Coach McCarthy and the staff is she’s just scratching the surface on what a gifted player she could be for them,” Campbell said.
The player expressed pride in representing the local area. She said wearing the valley “V” on her jersey carries a unique meaning. “To wear that valley ‘V’ on your chest, it’s something different,” Schoonover said. She added that many people outside the region do not understand that sentiment.
Source: ABC30 Action News
