Many people know Tucson for its incredible desert landscape and steaming hot climate. Tucson, however, also houses some of Arizona's best women's basketball schools and individual talent. As the years pass, Tucson continues to produce quality players leaving a mark in the women's college basketball scene.

A 20-minute drive down North Campbell Avenue and South Kino Parkway separates both Salpointe Catholic High School and Sunnyside High School. A random girls' basketball matchup between both schools on Feb. 16, 2021 would inadvertently give us a glimpse of the future down the road. 

For Tucson natives Nayeli Nidez Acuña, Brianna Arizmendi, Kylee Callahan, Mae Callahan and Bria Medina, their basketball journeys have led them over 1,500 miles across the country to Galesburg, Illinois, bringing with them a piece of Tucson every step of the way. Having found a second home in the Midwest, the Tucson Five have contributed significantly to some of the most successful years in Prairie Fire women's basketball history. 

The Tucson Five's journey in Galesburg first began with the addition of Mae Callahan from Salpointe Catholic High School for the 2020-21 season. Describing her reasons for committing to Knox, Mae said, "I saw the potential that we had on the team with the incoming class." 

The thought of traveling halfway across the country to Galesburg, Illinois, made the decision challenging. With her parents' encouragement, Mae Callahan embraced the challenge and bet on herself to make the jump far from home. "I feel like it was mostly my parents who helped get me out because I'm a homebody and wanted to stay close to Tucson. Now, I'm grateful for it."

Despite high hopes to hit the ground running in such a new chapter in her life, Mae Callahan's first collegiate season was cut short due to COVID-19. 

With the Prairie Fire's first season after COVID-19 nearing, 5-8 forward Brianna Arizmendi joined the Prairie Fire the following year for the 2021-22 season, adding another player from Salpointe Catholic High School. After the world came to a pause due to the pandemic, Callahan and Arizmendi now had the opportunity to share their first full season as members of the Prairie Fire, adding to their close bond built in high school.

Arizmendi pointed out the importance of Callahan as a key contributor to her arrival in Galesburg despite a serious setback during her senior year in high school. "Mae was like the recruiter," said Arizmendi. "A month before my high school season started, I tore my ACL. So I remember laying down with my leg up and Mae Facetiming me, showing me the school while it was snowing." 

That moment stuck with Arizmendi, as a familiar high school bond added to an already supportive coaching staff, sealing her move to Knox College. "I told the coach I had torn my ACL like it was a huge thing. She said, 'I've seen you play, and I think you'll be better after,' so she was the only coach that bid on me." 

After arriving at Knox, however, Arizmendi faced a different type of challenge with limited game time during her freshman season. "I came in right after my injury and hadn't really played yet. So that was just kind of a learning process, kind of a blur," Arizmendi said. 

Despite the difficulty of not seeing the court her first year, she cites her limited minutes as a major part of her development as a player. "I was depended on as a practice player, so I worked on my defense." 

With a heartbreaking semifinal exit for the Prairie Fire during Callahan's and Arizmendi's first complete season, Knox looked to add an immediate difference-maker for the following year. Kylee Callahan, younger sister of Mae Callahan and a Salpointe alum, joined the Prairie Fire for the 2022-23 season. Following in her sister Mae's footsteps, Kylee's recruiting process ultimately led her to Knox to continue her academic and athletic career. 

"I turned towards Division III so I could get an education and still play. Then Mae had the great idea to play with her [at Knox]. I was teetering in and out of it because I was like, 'I need my own college experience, and you need your college experience.' I did not want to get in the way of her college experience. But she had a valid excuse for coming to Knox on the basketball side," Callahan said. 

Kylee's confidence and self-awareness as a player allowed her to seamlessly transition into the college game, hoping to contribute in any way possible. "I knew the kind of player I was. I knew that I could make an impact just by being a leader, not necessarily point-wise, but playing-wise," stated Callahan. 

Her impact was evident right away as Kylee played in 27 games her first year, 24 of which she started. She played a massive part on both sides of the ball in the most successful women's basketball season in Knox history, with the Prairie Fire being crowned Midwest Conference champions and earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

"I think that experience is a little bit sweeter than high school, just because the main reason to come to the school was my sister. We played middle school and high school together. I didn't know it was going to be like the first year that I went there. So it was kind of nice winning the championship with Mae, and experiencing that with her," Kylee Callahan said regarding the championship win. 

With high expectations to follow such a historic season, 5-6 guard Bria Medina, Salpointe Catholic High School alumni and cousin of the Callahan sisters, added herself to the mix the following year. Her addition for the 2023-24 campaign brought the number of Salpointe Catholic alums on the Prairie Fire roster to four. 

During her recruiting process, Medina found herself unsure whether basketball was still in her future. "During my junior year in high school, I was not interested in playing basketball in college. I would go back and forth [on playing or not] because I just did not want to play."

Through encouragement from her cousins, the Callahan sisters helped convince Medina to give basketball another chance. "I knew there was an option for me to come to play with Kylee and Mae. I figured, if I was going to play, I might as well play with them again. So, that is what solidified my decision. I'm definitely glad that I did [commit to Knox]," Medina said.

Medina did not take her second shot at basketball for granted, quickly cementing herself as one of the top players in the Midwest Conference. Starting all 27 games during her rookie campaign, Medina led the Midwest Conference in field goals made (161), field goal percentage (.483), and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.3). 

Her efforts on offense saw her lead the Prairie Fire in scoring (16.9 points/game), ranking second in the conference. Her impressive year helped propel the Prairie Fire to a second straight conference championship appearance, where the Prairie Fire ultimately came up short against the Ripon Red Hawks. 

Medina did not conclude her first year empty-handed, earning first-team all-conference and the Midwest Conference Newcomer of the Year award. Medina's commitment to excellence transcended beyond the court, earning the Arvid Pierre Zetterberg Jr. Prize for Women, given to the Knox student-athlete participating on a women's team who, during their first year, exemplified the highest quality of character, scholarship, and interest in sports.

Through all the success, Medina commented on the need to balance recognition and humbleness, especially after her first year at Knox. "It's always nice to be recognized for all your hard work. It felt good, but I try not to let it boost my confidence too much. I try not to let it negatively get to me, I guess." 

After a disappointing end to the previous year, the Prairie Fire looked to bring in some firepower to bounce back during the 2024-25 season. Knox continued to invest in Tucson talent by bringing in 5-10 forward Nayeli Nidez Acuña from Sunnyside High School. Her arrival would demonstrate the growth of the Tucson-Knox pipeline, with Sunnyside High school now represented in Galesburg, Illinois. Familiar high school opponents now got the chance to share the court together in a Prairie Fire uniform. 

After talks with Nidez Acuña's high school coach and Salpointe's high school coach, they slowly introduced the idea of playing basketball at Knox to Nidez Acuña. With Tucson natives already present on the Prairie Fire roster, Nidez Acuña revealed a sense of comfort walking into a dressing room with familiar faces. "I didn't really come into college completely alone. You could say I was alone, but not really based on the fact that I knew them," Nidez Acuña said. 

As the first Arizona player in the 4A to 6A range to surpass 1,000 points and rebounds in 30 years during her high school career, the bar was set pretty high for Nidez Acuña. She wasted no time, however, introducing herself to the college game. In her first official collegiate game, Nidez Acuña led the Prairie Fire to a commanding 64-53 win against regional powerhouse Loras College, posting a 21-point and 12-rebound double-double. 

Her standout debut set the tone for a strong first-year campaign, previewing later impressive performances, including a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double against Aurora on Dec. 18 and a 26-point outing against Illinois College on Jan. 14. Nidez Acuña's success was no surprise to those familiar with the talent coming out of Tucson, adding to the success built by the Tucson natives who came before her. 

With the Tucson-Knox connection in full effect, it is impossible to ignore each player's impact on the program. Whether through guidance, leadership, or scoring, each player has contributed to building this program to its current level. 

Mae Callahan, the catalyst of the Tucson-Knox movement, finishes her time as a member of the Prairie Fire as a one-time Midwest Conference champion. Many consider her impact on the team to transcend past what she does on the court. 

Known as the "glue" of the team due to her ability to bring people together for a common goal, Medina spoke about Mae Callahan's impact as a leader and role as a respected figure in the locker room. "She definitely grew as a leader. She's really good at organizing the team and communicating with everyone, revolving [around] things on and off the court. I feel like having her leadership has really helped our team."

As a one-time Midwest Conference Tournament champion and four-time Academic All-Midwest Conference selection, Arizmendi's career has had yearly improvements throughout her career. While embracing her role as the team's enforcer and engine, Arizmendi saw her minutes reach over 25 a game in both of her last two seasons, even starting all 25 of the Prairie Fire's games her senior year. 

While commenting on Arizmendi's importance to the program, Kylee Callahan points out her irreplaceable attributes, especially on the defensive end. "Brianna is a game shifter. She always does the dirty work. Brianna gets rebounds, wins fifty-fifty balls and locks up the post. She's our Dennis Rodman." 

Medina also commented on being able to lean on Arizmendi during challenging moments to bring a spark when needed most. "I feel like she brings so much energy," Medina said. "She does all the dirty work for everyone. We know we can count on her to get rebounds, get defensive stops, and help when we're slacking."

Whether through personal or collective achievements, Kylee Callahan has already cemented herself as one of the best players Knox has ever seen, with a resume to back it up: Midwest Conference Tournament champion, 2022-23 Midwest Conference Newcomer of the Year, 2023-24 All-Midwest Conference First Team selection, two-time Midwest Conference Performer of the Week and fifth player in program history to reach 1,000 points (first to reach the milestone as a junior). She will look to cap off an incredible career with one final run as a senior next year. 

"Kylee has always been a leader," Mae said regarding her younger sister's impact. "She's always been a 'captain of the ship' kind of thing. So for me, I'm proud of her for staying consistent throughout these years. 

With two years under her belt, Medina has already established herself as one of the top superstars in the league. She has won the Midwest Conference Newcomer of the Year award, two All-Midwest Conference First Team selections and Midwest Conference Performer of the Week four times heading into her junior year. With Medina only 90 points away from reaching the 1,000-point milestone after two seasons, she will look to cement her place as one of Knox's all-time greats in the years to come. 

Mae Callahan opened up about admiring Medina's play, sometimes even bringing her to literal awe. "Bria is unstoppable. She's a beast. She finishes these drives, and you're like, 'How did you even get up to the basket like that?'" 

Nidez Acuña, the newest Tucson native to make her mark on the Prairie Fire program, hit the ground running during her first year. Her impressive rookie campaign, during which she averaged 12.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 23.7 minutes per game, along with one Midwest Performer of the Week selection, has given Prairie Fire supporters glimpses of what is to come for the promising young prospect. 

Mae talked about the importance of Nidez Acuña going forward while also acknowledging the years go by with every new Tucson player. "They're [Nidez Acuña and Medina] going to be really important. Nayeli is a very skilled post-player. Playing with Nayeli now and seeing her face again is like I blinked and time flew to a different part of my life."

With all of their skills coming together on the court, they have been able to create a unique DNA of basketball that appeals to the fans. Brianna acknowledges the evolution of their brand of basketball created over the past couple of years through the Tucson connection. "You can be good, but you have to be fun to watch. You think about it now, and we have a whole student section. You kind of get blown away."

Having all shined in their respective paths, the Tucson Five remain true to their roots. Joseph Luevano, head coach of Salpointe Catholic High School, reflected on his early beginnings with the Salpointe alums and his connection with Nidez Acuña in Tucson. "I have known Mae since her sophomore year in high school, Brianna since her freshman year in high school, Kylee since eighth grade, and Bria since seventh grade. I have also known and watched Nayeli since she was in eighth grade, and she was always ahead of other athletes."

Luevano highlights their mentalities as key factors in the group's success, which is evident during their early days together. "They have all been exceptional athletes and basketball players," he said. "They are a great group of young women athletes that know what it takes to win and are willing to do the little things necessary," Luevano added.

With their competitiveness evident since their early high school days, Luevano recognizes their ability to get it done when counted on the most. "They have always been ready for tough competition, and it is no surprise that they tend to play even better when the game is a little bigger and the lights are a little brighter."

From their high school days in Tucson to sharing the locker room at Knox College, their friendships and bonds have grown tremendously. Whether through basketball or sharing the difficulties of leaving Tucson for the cooler climate of Galesburg, the Tucson Five have learned to navigate their paths and come together to put the Prairie Fire program as one of the powerhouses of the Midwest Conference.

The Tucson Five were not always as close as everyone sees them today. If you happen to spot them around campus, that may come as a surprise. Through shared memories throughout the years and even familiar high school rivals added to the mix, they have all been able to build genuine relationships that they will cherish forever. 

The Tucson Five reminisced about how their relationships have evolved. Kylee elaborated on the trajectory of her friendship with Arizmendi. "We were like acquaintances in high school, where we had a connection through Mae. We both agreed that now that we've been together and played together for the past three years, we feel almost like sisters." 

Arizmendi recounted her first interaction with Mae in seventh grade, an interaction that would transform into an unbreakable bond even through challenging moments. "I was playing for Salpointe during the summers and would go to tournaments. So we went to San Diego during the summer of my seventh grade, and that's when I met Mae. We just kind of hit it off right away, which I think was cool because I was meeting all my future friends in middle school."

Nidez Acuña even highlights how fear over not knowing her fate for her college destination ended up leading her to friendships she values tremendously. "I didn't know I'd end up being in the same spot as them [Salpointe alumni]. I'm not regretting my decision at all. I love them. I love the bond that we have created,"

With the excellent connections and friendships built through their shared hometown, Arizmendi reflects on how their relationships have translated to creating a welcoming culture that attracts others to the Knox women's basketball program. "I think it's just creating an environment that people want to come to. I want it to be a place where people want to come here and enjoy playing basketball." 

Going back to this random Tucson women's high school matchup on February 16, 2021, no one knew what the future held for these Tucson women's basketball players. Even with Arizmendi out injured and Mae Callahan already at Knox during this matchup, their effect on the Tucson-Knox pipeline was already underway beneath the shadows. Mae was already experiencing Knox firsthand, with Arizmendi committing months later. Together, they went on to convince Kylee, Medina, and Nidez Acuña to come to Knox, along with help from a parental figure.

"Mae did her own recruiting and found a home in Knox," Luveano explained. "So Mae convinced Brianna to join her in Galesburg, and the Salpointe/Tucson to Knox connection began. Once Mae and Brianna were there, it was Kylee and Mae's father, Alex Callahan, who encouraged Kylee and Bria to attend." 

Not many people would have thought Galesburg would end up being a safe space for five women's basketball players from Tucson. Yet through Knox, they have all made the most out of their Knox experience already. Their commitment and trust in the program to travel halfway across the country have opened doors to Salpointe and other neighboring Tucson high school alums like Nidez Acuña.

"Alex and I want to see Knox succeed," Luevano said, "so we want to encourage athletes who want a small-town, four-year college experience to take a look at Knox. Tucson has some strong basketball athletes that get overlooked and under-recruited. Knox has given kids in southern Arizona an opportunity to experience college in a different place and different environment."

"We're all very blessed we could continue to play together," Medina said. "Brianna, Mae, Kylee and I all played together, with Nayeli later joining. Since we all grew up around the same culture and city, it's been fun to play with them again and to have that kind of bond."

Given the program's recent success, one might believe the Tucson influence was built overnight. But in reality, the Tucson connection was a multi-year process that transformed normal teammate relationships and family connections into an unbreakable sisterhood.