Early women’s basketball top 25 after transfer portal season: South Carolina rises

TL;DR

The women's college basketball landscape has shifted significantly due to the transfer portal, with South Carolina emerging as a top contender after making key additions. UCLA faces challenges after losing their top players to the WNBA, while other teams like Oklahoma State and Tennessee have also strengthened their rosters.

Key points

Transfer portal has reshaped women's college basketball rosters
South Carolina made key additions and is a top contender
UCLA lost top players to the WNBA, creating uncertainty
Oklahoma State and Tennessee strengthened their rosters significantly

South CarolinaUCLAOklahoma StateTennessee

As has been the case for the last few years, the transfer portal and coaching carousel has shaken up the outlook for the next season in women’s college basketball.

When the season ended in Phoenix, Arizona earlier this month, there was much uncertainty surrounding the national champions, UCLA. The Bruins sent their top six players off to the WNBA and were only returning one significant contributor in Sienna Betts. But Cori Close went into the portal and signed Iowa State’s Addy Brown, North Carolina’s Elina Aarnisalo, TCU’s Donovyn Hunter, Arkansas’ Bonnie Deas and Notre Dame’s KK Bransford, assembling a roster that should be able to make a competitive run in March.

Elsewhere, Duke secured a major pickup in Aaliyah Crump from Texas, Michigan reinforced its roster with Courtney Ogden from Stanford, Iowa landed one of the SEC's best guards in Dani Carnegie, West Virginia signed on strong fits in Zahirah Walton and Skylar Forbes, and LSU got a point guard in Iowa State’s Jada Williams.

Other teams completely rebuilt their rosters. Oklahoma State looks like the biggest winner of the portal after adding a slew of talented players that include Audi Crooks and Liv McGill. At Tennessee, Kim Caldwell brought in 13 transfers. North Carolina, Arizona State, Ole Miss, Louisville and TCU also brought in key additions.

But South Carolina looks like the team that really won April. The Gamecocks didn’t have any of their non-WNBA Draft eligible players enter the transfer portal and Dawn Staley made two key additions after losing in the national title game.

2026: UCLA Bruins

Q&A

How did the transfer portal impact women's college basketball for the upcoming season?

The transfer portal has led to significant roster changes, with many teams rebuilding and adding key players to enhance their competitiveness.

Which teams made the most notable transfers in women's college basketball?

Teams like South Carolina, Oklahoma State, and Tennessee made significant transfers, with South Carolina adding key players while Oklahoma State secured several talented athletes.

What challenges does UCLA face after the transfer portal season?

UCLA lost their top six players to the WNBA and is left with only one significant returning contributor, creating uncertainty for the upcoming season.

Who are the key players added to South Carolina's roster?

South Carolina made two key additions to their roster after the national title game, although specific player names were not mentioned in the excerpt.