Badgers add SoCon Player of the Year as latest transfer commitment

Mar 23, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Chattanooga Lady Mocs guard Caia Elisaldez (11) dribbles towards the lane in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Women's Tournament at James T. Valvano Arena at William Neal Reynolds. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images

The Wisconsin Badgers women’s basketball team has done some serious damage in the transfer portal so far.

Their latest addition? Southern Conference (SoCon) Player of the Year Caia Elisaldez, whom the team officially signed on Thursday.

Elisaldez, a 5’5 junior guard, spent the last three seasons at Chattanooga, where she saw considerable growth year-by-year. As a freshman in 2023-24, she saw action in 33 games, averaging 18.2 minutes per contest. She put up 4.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game in that campaign.

That grew to 14.1 points, 4.9 assists, and 2.7 rebounds as a sophomore, while shooting 48.6 percent from the field. Then, as a junior, Elisaldez averaged 17.0 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 49.6 percent from the field. That won her the Southern Conference Player of the Year award, and Elisaldez will now join the Badgers for her final year of eligibility.

“Caia is a dynamic guard who brings toughness, skill and a strong understanding of the game. A great floor general and an elite facilitator, she also excels at attacking the rim and getting to the free-throw line,” head coach Robin Pingeton said in a statement.

A native of California, Elisaldez shone in the WBIT, where she put up 33 points in a losing effort in the first round against North Dakota State. Now, she’s a Badger and will hope to help Pingeton improve in Year 2.