Staff Reports
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — On the opening day of the 2026 Summer Council Session July 20, Speaker Crystalyne Curley recognized Sydney Benally for her outstanding achievements on and off the basketball court.
Out of nearly 370,000 girls who play high school basketball across the U.S., only about 1.4% earn the opportunity to compete at the NCAA Division I level, and fewer than five Navajo women players are on a Division I roster at any given time.
A proud Diné student-athlete and starting guard for BYU Women’s Basketball, Benally has already made history by setting a BYU freshman assist record while helping lead one of the program’s most successful seasons. She is also a two-time New Mexico Gatorade Girls Basketball Player of the Year, recognized for both her athletic excellence and academic achievements.
“Sydney represents the very best of the Navajo Nation—hard work, humility, leadership, resilience, and perseverance.,” Curley said. “She is an incredible role model who is inspiring the next generation of Diné youth to dream big, work hard, and believe that no obstacle is too great to overcome.”
Curley added that the Navajo Nation is proud of Benally, and wish her continued success as she prepares for her sophomore season. Benally continues to inspire countless young people across the Navajo Nation to pursue their dreams with confidence and determination.
