How often do you see a Final Four team built entirely from in-state talent? Not often—in fact, it’s very rare. The last time it happened was when Lindsay Gottlieb coached Cal to the program’s only Final Four in 2013, with a roster featuring 13 California natives.
That roster cross the state: Layshia Clarendon (San Bernardino), Brittany Boyd (Berkeley), Afure Jemerigbe (Stockton), Talia Caldwell and Reshanda Gray (Los Angeles), and Gennifer Brandon (Sylmar), among others.
They defeated Fresno State, South Florida, LSU, and Georgia before falling to Louisville by seven in the Final Four—a game they led by 10 at halftime.
Clarendon led the way, averaging (22.5) points across the Bears’ four tournament wins. Boyd, a fearless sophomore, added (13.8) points, (8.0) rebounds, and (7.3) assists in those wins, while Brandon contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds.
That season stands as the best in program history: a (32–4) record, the school’s only Final Four appearance, and its only 30-win season. 🪄