Last spring was quite a whirlwind in the women’s college basketball transfer portal. We saw star players switch teams, and some all-conference athletes found new homes. It was an interesting reversal too, with mid-major players making the leap to the Power 4 and vice versa.
The decisions made during that time are likely to have a ripple effect on what plays out on the court this winter. These changes will influence the overall dynamics, conference standings, and even the potential for national championships.
If we look back, each of the recent national champions has had at least one new face in their starting lineup. For example, last season, UW benefited from the addition of Caitlin Chen from Princeton. And then there were Camila Cardoso and Tehina Paopao, who transitioned from Syracuse and Oregon, respectively, to play pivotal roles for an undefeated South Carolina team. Angel Reese’s move from Maryland to LSU, well, that was a game-changer for the Tigers in 2023.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we see another transfer this year that could significantly impact the team that eventually clinches the national title.
Looking ahead to the 2025-26 season, let’s consider some of the transfers that may make waves with their new teams.
Olivia Miles: Notre Dame to TCU
Regarded as a top-five prospect for the forthcoming WNBA Draft, Miles has carved out a reputation as one of the most inventive playmakers in college basketball. During her time at Notre Dame, she led the ACC in assists for three consecutive seasons, averaging 6.5 assists per game. Last season saw her elevate her game even further, with a notable improvement in her three-point shooting—she hit 40.6% of her attempts from beyond the arc. After leading TCU to an Elite Eight appearance, Mark Campbell revamped the roster, and Miles is set to be a vital cog in their offense.
Tanya Latson: From Florida to South Carolina
Latson, who led the Seminoles with an impressive 25.2 points per game last season, reunites with high school teammate Raven Johnson in South Carolina’s backcourt. This partnership brings a potent scoring addition to the Gamecocks. Last season, Latson not only recorded personal bests in rebounds (4.6) and assists (4.6) but also maintained over 43% shooting accuracy. Now, on a national title contender, he will draw lots of attention as part of his new team.
Gianna Neepkens: Utah to UCLA
As one of the top three-point shooters in the last season, Neepkens averaged 3.1 made three-pointers per game, ranking ninth in the nation. Almost a member of the 50-40-90 club, she boasted shooting percentages of 50.4% overall, 44.8% from three, and 89% from the free-throw line. Coming off a Final Four run, Neepkens is expected to play a crucial role in helping UCLA return to that stage while injecting new energy into their offense. The Bruins had a solid advantage in the paint with Lauren Betts, but they struggled with three-point shooting, ranking 165th nationally. In their Final Four loss to Collegiate Con, they hit only 4 of 16 from deep. Neepkens should help address that issue.
Coty McMahon: Ohio State to Ole Miss
Recognized as a standout in Yolett McPhee-McCune’s robust transfer class, McMahon is a three-time All-Big Ten pick and former finalist for the Sheryl Miller Award. Last season, she averaged 16.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, showing substantial improvement in her three-point shooting, hitting 38% of those attempts, a leap from 23% in the previous season. This season, she might just become the cornerstone for the Rebels.
Laura Ziegler: From St. Joseph’s Cathedral to Louisville
Ziegler shone at St. Joe’s last season, being a finalist for the Becky Hammon mid-major player of the year accolade. She attracted interest from several top Power 4 programs through the portal and chose Louisville, bolstering their frontcourt with her versatile skills. As a junior at St. Joe’s, she posted averages of 17.5 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. Her 8.9 defensive rebounds per game ranked third nationally, and she’s the only player to have maintained averages of at least 17 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists last season. Ziegler has made the preseason All-ACC team, and there’s a lot of anticipation surrounding her contributions.
Other notable transfers include: Milesia Fulwilly (South Carolina to LSU), Madina Okot (Mississippi to South Carolina), Kamil Pierre (Vanderbilt to North Carolina), Gul Labib (Quinnipiac to Miami), Yarden Garzon (Indiana to Maryland), Sera Williams (Wisconsin to UW), Oluchi Onanwa (Duke to Maryland), Tony Morgan (Georgia Tech to Kentucky), Katie Davidson (IU Indy to USF), Jania Barker (UCLA to Tennessee), and Haley Timmer (South Dakota to Oklahoma), Rachel Rose (Wofford to Clemson).
