When ASU women's basketball was established in 1975 off the back of Title IX, the program was forced to navigate a gauntlet of initial struggles.
Wins weren't easy to come by, nor was recognition, but early players and staff knew their impact would last far beyond the results on the court.
Fifty years later, ASU women's basketball celebrated its half-century milestone with a reunion luncheon in the Student Pavilion on Sept. 26.
Decades of Sun Devil memorabilia were displayed near the entrance, and photo collages showcasing the program's rich history were lined along the Pavilion's east wall. In one corner, the 2026 National Championship trophy was presented, and it was hard to miss. It was there to promote the 2026 NCAA Women's Final Four, which will be hosted by ASU in Phoenix.
Alumni like Kym Hampton, Ryneldi Becenti and Promise Amukamara were all in attendance, along with former ASU head coach Charli Turner Thorne and new head coach Molly Miller. Miller led GCU to a 32-3 record last season en route to their program's first NCAA Women's Tournament appearance.
Turner Thorne, the winningest coach in school history with 528 career wins, was one of the first to arrive.
"I could not be more thrilled that we went out and found (Miller), who is perfect," Turner Thorne said. "She has the skillset and the mindset to be an elite head coach at the highest level."
Leading ASU to the NCAA Tournament 14 times, including two Elite Eight appearances during her tenure from 1996 to 2022, Turner Thorne set a high standard for all ASU head coaches. After a stretch of discouraging seasons for Sun Devil women's basketball, Miller has given her hope for the future.
"If you're not willing to work like (Miller) does, it probably isn't going to manifest itself the way it could," Turner Thorne said. "I think she assembled an incredible staff, and she's hopefully going to get us back to where we were, which was regularly nationally ranked and in competition for championships."
Not long after Turner Thorne's entrance, Amukamara joined the room. Amukamara played under Turner Thorne from 2011 to 2015 before going on to have a successful international career, including her participation in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Like Turner Thorne, she sees promise in ASU's new head coach.
"She's like a mini (Turner Thorne), so that in itself is huge," said Amukamara. "Her tenacity, her energy, her intensity just remind me of (Turner Thorne). What she did at Grand Canyon, and how fast she turned that program around and got them to be a great program, (was) tremendous. I'm really looking forward to seeing how it translates here at ASU."
The day before the anniversary celebration, former players and coaches had the opportunity to spectate a women's basketball team practice. Former ASU guard Katie Hempen was one of several former members who attended, and like the others, Hempen had nothing but praise for Miller.
"I thought (Turner Thorne) had done a phenomenal job of always remembering where we've come from with women's sports, bringing in such special women (who) have paved the way for us," Hempen said. "To see (Miller) coaching in the gym yesterday and how she led and the presence that she brings, I truly believe that what we've got is in special hands."
READ MORE: 'Is it season yet?' ASU introduces women's basketball head coach Molly Miller
As ASU women's basketball enters the Molly Miller era in its 50th year, the program will look to reestablish the success it's seen in the past while continuing to pursue excellence on and off the court.
"Elite standards, really amazing relationships and then having fun was what basically defined our program, and that's what I want for (Miller)," Turner Thorne said. "She's going to have high standards, and she's going to build great culture … I hope that she can pick up where we left off and continue that culture of winning but also of just growing women into strong, caring leaders."
Edited by Alan Deutschendorf, Henry Smardo and Pippa Fung.
Reach the reporter at holtzingerethan@gmail.com and follow @EthanZinger6 on X.
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Ethan Holtzinger is a sports reporter for The State Press who has previously worked for Cronkite News and the Arizona Interscholastic Association. He is in his 2nd semester with The State Press and 5th semester at ASU.
