Libby Stamp had offers from 15 women's basketball programs within four days of entering the transfer portal on March 28, most of them from NCAA Division I schools. The former University of Montana guard chose Western Washington University.
Stump, a two-time state champion at Linden Christian High School from 2018-2022, couldn't shake the lure of home. She wanted to play basketball in front of her family and friends again.
Western head coach Carmen Dolfo's pitch to the Stumps added even more flair.
“I had a lot of really good conversations with Carmen. I just loved her,” Stamp said. “[To] With the opportunity to potentially win a national championship, I couldn't turn it down. Nothing else in Portal has spoken to me like this. ”
Stump's high school resume was what made her a hot topic at Division I schools. She was a bona fide top-level player, as evidenced by her 2022 1A State Tournament MVP and Washington State Girls Basketball Coaches Association (WSGBCA) 1A Player of the Year honors.
Stamp showed the ability to take difficult shots at key moments and sank the shot. Final shot in overtime of the 2022 1A State Championship.
She then became the first true freshman to play a full season (30 games) and average 10 points per game for Montana State since the 2001-02 season.
But everything changed when he suffered the first major injury of his career as a sophomore.
On December 6, 2023, Stamp collapsed near the free throw line late in the first quarter of a home game against Loyola Marymount University after hitting a jumper. She was unable to put weight on her legs and was helped out of her court.
The stump tore both the ACL and meniscus and strained the MCL in his left knee. Five games into the season, she was done.
“I blew out my whole knee,” Stump said. “I've never been injured before, but it was very difficult…You learn a lot about yourself. [from] injury.
“Every time a game is played, this may sound dramatic, but it literally breaks my heart all over again. It was so nostalgic.”
The silver lining is that Stamps retained his sophomore eligibility. She would have had to play 10 games for her to lose. That means she still has three seasons of college basketball left.
The injury forced Stamp to figure out what she wanted in her final three years, she said. At the top of the list is having fun with the game and having it close to home.
“I wanted something completely different,” Stamp said. “I really want to bring back the joy of the game, and that's what Western was about.”
Dolfo reassured her that Stamp Western's program would help her continue her recovery, and Stamp's campus visit solidified her decision. She announced her transfer to Western on Thursday, April 25th.
There are also some familiar faces on Western's roster. Riley Dykstra, who will be a senior for the Vikings next season, was a junior at LC in 2018-19, when Stamp won his first state title as a freshman. Demi Dykstra, a freshman at Western last season, was on LC's 2021-22 championship team when Stamp was a senior.
Dolfo's daughter, Aspen Garrison, who is entering her senior season, was close friends with Stamp in middle school and a regular opponent at Sehome High School. Garrison also transferred to Western from Division I St. Mary's College.
“I’m really excited to play with them again and chase something special,” Stamp said.
Stamp knows he's missing out on a potentially standout career at the Division I level, and he doesn't care about that. She plans to apply what she has learned to her future career in the West.
“[Division I basketball] It was very challenging at times, mentally, emotionally and physically. You’ve gotten tougher,” she said. “I've been playing college basketball for two years. Now let's do something great with it.”
After finishing classes in Montana on Friday, May 3, Stump plans to drive back to Whatcom County. She is scheduled to report to Western on May 6.
Connor J. Benintendi is CDN's sports editor. Please contact connorbenintendi@cascadiadaily.com. 360-922-3090 ext. 104.