Bigfork’s Braeden Gunlock headed to Bobcats

After spending the past season with the BYU women’s basketball team, Braeden Gunlock is heading back to her home state.  

The former Bigfork standout announced Saturday afternoon on Instagram that she will transfer to Montana State and join the Bobcats next season, writing, “Let’s get it Bobcat Nation! #committed #imhome.” 

As a freshman at BYU, Gunlock played in all 31 games, providing steady minutes off the bench. She averaged 1.5 points in just over eight minutes per game and shot 40% from three (8-20), while adding 35 rebounds along with a handful of assists and steals in a limited role. 

Gunlock put together one of the most decorated high school careers in Bigfork basketball history, earning back-to-back Montana Northwest A Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2024 and 2025, while also being named All-State, All-Conference and Conference MVP all four years.  

She was also a four-time All-Tournament  selection and led the Valkyries to a Montana Class B state title in 2023, where she was named tournament MVP. The next season she helped the Vals finish runner up at the State A tournament. 

Montana State is coming off a historic season, finishing 27-8 without a senior on the roster. The Bobcats fell to South Dakota 65-56 in the WNIT Great Eight on March 29, marking the latest finish in program history. Their 35 games played tied the school record. 

Montana State’s 57 wins in the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons is the most ever by a Big Sky women’s program in consecutive campaigns.