SEASIDE, Calif. – Cal State Monterey Bay made its mark both on the court and the sidelines at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. Former All-CCAA women's basketball standout Ella Doherty competed for host nation Scotland in the women's 3x3 basketball tournament, while current Otter head coach Sarah Hopkins-Chery led England's squad.
 
For Doherty, the selection was especially meaningful. A native of Powmill, Scotland, she had the opportunity to compete in front of family, friends and thousands of home supporters as Glasgow hosted the Commonwealth Games for the second time in 12 years and the fourth time overall in Scotland's history.
 
"Being selected for the Commonwealth Games is such an honor," Doherty said. "It's something I dreamed of as a kid. My journey from playing at CSUMB to my first year as a pro, and now representing Scotland at the Commonwealth Games, wouldn't have been possible without the confidence and support I gained as an Otter."
 
The Games ran from July 23 through Aug. 2, drawing nearly 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories to compete in 11 sports. The Commonwealth Games are among the world's premier multi-sport events.
 
The 3x3 basketball competition was held July 24-29 at Glasgow's SEC Centre, marking the discipline's return after its debut in 2022. The 2026 tournament expanded the women's field to 12 teams.
 
"Representing your country is always an honor, and doing so at the Commonwealth Games makes it even more special," Hopkins-Chery said. "Ella and I spoke about this goal during her senior season, so it has been incredibly rewarding to see her earn a place on the roster and compete on the world stage. The support of our Otter raft also cannot go unrecognized, as it has played an important role in making journeys like this possible."  
 
Doherty's selection continued her impressive rise in international basketball. Last summer, she represented Great Britain at the FIBA U23 Nations League in 3x3, gaining valuable experience against elite international competition before earning her spot with Team Scotland for the Commonwealth Games.
 
In her lone season at Cal State Monterey Bay, Doherty established herself as one of the CCAA's premier players. The 6-0 guard started all 23 games she appeared in, leading the Otters with 12.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while shooting a team-best 47 percent from the field.
 
She scored in double figures 15 times—including her first 12 games—recorded four 20-point performances, and posted three double-doubles. Her 37-point outburst against Lincoln University is the second-highest single-game scoring total in program history, and she earned CCAA Player of the Week honors twice.
 
CSUMB head coach Sarah Hopkins-Chery also participated in the Glasgow Games, leading England's women's 3x3 team. She guided her native England through the Home Nations Qualification Tournament, where her squad defeated Wales 21-11 in the final to secure a berth in the Commonwealth Games.
 
The appointment continued her extensive international experience, having previously led Great Britain's U23 3x3 team and coached within the GB U18 and U20 programs.
 
Hopkins-Chery's role gave CSUMB representation on both sides of the Scotland-England rivalry, with Doherty competing for the host nation and her college coach directing England.
 
Doherty and Team Scotland finished seventh in the women's 3x3 tournament with a 2-3 record in Pool B. Scotland opened with losses to Tonga and England, then earned a 21-15 win over Singapore. After a loss to eventual bronze medalist New Zealand, the hosts concluded their campaign with a decisive 21-5 victory over Papua New Guinea.
 
Doherty delivered her best performance in Scotland's finale, scoring a team-high eight points to help the hosts close out the tournament with a win. She also contributed three points in Scotland's 14-9 loss to England.
 
In her first Commonwealth Games, Doherty helped Scotland tally 73 points across five pool games and finish with a positive point differential.
 
CSUMB head coach Sarah Hopkins-Chery guided England to a fifth-place finish. England placed second in Pool B with a 4-1 record, securing wins over Singapore, Scotland, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga.
 
The Commonwealth Games use the international 3x3 format—a fast-paced, half-court game with four-player rosters and three on the court at a time. Games are played to 21 points or 10 minutes, whichever comes first, with shots inside the arc worth one point and those beyond the arc counting for two.
 
The Otters enter the 2026-27 season with momentum after earning 14 wins—the program's most since 2012-13. The historic season culminated in CSUMB's first postseason appearance in 13 years.