The transfer portal for women’s college basketball has officially closed. While some players, like USC’s Kayleigh Heckel, are still without a new team, the situation has mostly stabilized in this phase of player movement.
For some teams, the departures have turned into significant gains. Many teams have completely overhauled their rosters, while others have strategically added key players. Some programs, however, are almost starting from scratch.
It’s important to note that acquiring players through the transfer portal doesn’t guarantee success, and losing them doesn’t spell disaster. Still, it’s interesting to observe that all teams reaching the Final Four last season had made at least one transfer. This includes UConn, the reigning national champion, which welcomed a significant transfer in Thera Williams from Wisconsin to bolster their championship hopes.
Last season’s notable transfers played a crucial role in propelling teams to new heights, such as Hailey Van Lith, who helped TCU reach the Elite Eight, or Georgia Amoor, who led Kentucky into hosting the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the biggest winners and losers in the portal.
Winner: LSU
Kim Mulkey’s Tigers faced some losses, including starter Samia Smith and key rotation players like Last Tarpore, MJracle Sheppard, and Jersey Wolfenbarger. However, they managed to snag top talents this spring, notably South Carolina’s exciting Milayayia Fulwiley. Alongside her, LSU also acquired Kate Koval from Notre Dame and Amiya Joyner from East Carolina. Koval is expected to be the starting center, while Joyner, who averaged 15 points and 9.2 rebounds, could provide valuable bench depth.
Loser: Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish retained just one starter from their Sweet 16 team, experiencing a significant setback with the loss of All-American guard Olivia Miles and reliable post player Kylie Watson, who had just completed his 64th consecutive game before injury sidelined him at the end of last season.
Push: South Carolina
While Fully Wiley’s departure is a significant loss for the Gamecocks, they managed to soften the blow by bringing in Tanya Ratson, the leading scorer from Florida, and Madina Ocotte from Mississippi, who nearly averaged a double-double in the SEC last season. Dawn Staley’s squad is shaping up to be competitive again with this talent.
Winner: Maryland
Brenda Frese has consistently shown her skill in navigating the transfer portal. The Terps are bringing in an impressive class, including Yarden Garzon, the ACC Tournament MVP from Indiana, and All-Big 10 talent Gracie Merkle from Penn State. These additions enhance Maryland’s game with dynamic guards, versatile wings, and strong post players, making them one of the top teams in the Big Ten next season.
Loser: Georgia Institute of Technology
The Yellow Jackets faced a tough situation, losing seven players to the transfer portal, including six from their Power 4 program. This group featured established starters Kara Dunn and Tonie Morgan, as well as ACC Sixth Player of the Year Dani Carnegie and talented newcomers. With Nell Fortner retiring, newly appointed coach Karen Blair has a significant reconstruction project ahead.
Push: UCLA
After their debut in the Final Four, the Bruins lost six players, including starter Rondine Jones and key contributors Janier Barker and Erina Arnizaro. Nevertheless, UCLA added Gianna Kneepkens from Utah, a standout three-point shooter coming off an impressive season. Her addition, along with players like Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice, promises to keep the competition fierce.
Winner: Ole Miss
Yolett McPhee McCann made a strong impact in the portal, bringing in seven new players. After five players ran out of eligibility and following a Sweet 16 appearance, the Rebels needed to fill some gaps. The notable transfer class features All-Big 10 player Cotie McMahon, along with one of UCF’s leading scorers, Latasha Lattimore, a powerful post player, and versatile SEC experience with Denim Deshields from Mississippi State.
Loser: Boston College
The Eagles faced a massive challenge, losing 11 players to the transfer portal. This situation leaves Joanna Bernabei McNamee with the daunting task of rebuilding with limited resources once again.
Push: USC
Lindsay Gottlieb’s squad experienced the loss of four players to the portal, including standout freshmen Avery Howell and Kayleigh Heckel, along with Dominique Darius. However, USC balanced their losses by adding two experienced players, including Londynn Jones from UCLA and Georgia Tech’s Kara Dunn. If Juju Watkins returns from a knee injury, the Trojans could still be competitive next season.
Winner: USF
Jose Fernandez effectively strengthened the Bulls this spring. They added Katie Davidson, one of the top three-point shooters available, Edin Battle, who ranked as Jacksonville’s 15th best scorer, versatile guard Stephanie Ingram, and former Mac Freshman of the Year, Kristen Lewis Williams from Buffalo. With their performance, USF aims to maintain a strong presence in the American Athletic Conference and pursue an NCAA tournament spot.
Winner: Clemson
After a promising first season, Sean Poppy actively sought to enhance the Tigers through the transfer portal. Key additions include Wofford’s Rachel Rose, who ranked third in national scoring last season. He also recruited standout ACC players like Rasne Augustie Night from Georgia Tech, along with several others, bolstering their roster significantly.
Push: Cal
Although the Golden Bears are coming off their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2019, they lost five players to the portal, with only one key contributor, Marta Suarez, among them. They managed to reload by adding SEC veterans Mjracle Sheppard from LSU and Sakima Walker from South Carolina, along with Naya Ojukwu from Morgan State, who averaged 17.1 points per game and was a top offensive rebounder.
Winner: TCU
Mark Campbell quickly replenished his roster following a strong run in the NCAA Tournament, despite losing Hailey Van Lith, Madison Connor, and Sedona Prince. TCU’s notable new class features Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles, along with Marta Suarez from Cal and Kennedy Basham from Arizona. With this lineup, TCU looks promising heading into the next season.
