[2] For most of its history, the women’s basketball program has been playing in the shadow of its men’s counterpart, leading to many losing seasons.

They made the Final Four for the first time in 2021 and defeated UConn to qualify for the National Championship game.

Female students at the University of Arizona first requested a women's basketball team in 1912, but were denied.

Intercollegiate competition began in 1923, and a "Varsity" team played Arizona State University.

This system persisted until 1971, when the UA joined the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) as a charter member.

[3] The University of Arizona Athletic Department cites the first official season of women's basketball at the University of Arizona as the 1972–73 season, following the Title IX federal legislation that requires state-supported institutions to offer equal opportunity to men's and women's programs.

Conference tournament champion The Wildcats have played in Australia, France, Puerto Rico, and Italy.