NC State has signed former Colorado guard Desiree Wooten, enhancing their backcourt with a reliable scorer and playmaker. Wooten's strong three-point shooting and defensive skills are expected to fill the gap left by Zam Jones.
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 21: Colorado Buffaloes guard Desiree Wooten (3) drive around Illinois Fighting Illini center Lety Vasconcelos (35) during the Colorado Buffaloes versus Illinois Fighting Illini NCAA Women's Championship first round game, March 21, 2026, at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Portal season has been pretty quiet on the womenās side, but no doubt that ex-Colorado guard Desiree Wooten was a critical recent addition to Wes Moore. Not only does Wooten give NC State a second reliable scorer in the backcourt, sheāll also help replace some of the three-point production that Zam Jones took with her.
Wootenās transition from North Texas to Colorado last season was impressively seamless, and most encouragingly, she improved her outside shooting significantly despite a substantial increase in workload. Itāll be important to State that she at least maintains that 35% three-point shooting from last season.
She also proved a good distributor (21% assist rate), matching Jonesā contributions there, which will ease some pressure on Zoe Brooks and give the Pack options on the ball. Wooten should be a defensive upgrade, and she was also better than Jones at getting to the free throw line.
This is not to say that a clear upgrade has been made hereāI donāt think anyone believes thatās the caseāas sheāll need to be better inside the arc (39.4% on twos last season, 41.7% for her career) but the potential is impressive. Especially since she will not have to carry the same heavy workload that she did at Colorado, which should help her efficiency.
Both Wooten and forward transfer Khady Leye should help NC State improve at the defensive end, so mission accomplished on that front. It remains to be seen if this team will be better overall, but I feel better about the possibility than I did a week ago.
Desiree Wooten is expected to provide a reliable scoring option and improve the team's three-point shooting, while also enhancing their defensive capabilities.
At Colorado, Wooten improved her three-point shooting to 35% and had a 21% assist rate, demonstrating her ability to contribute both offensively and defensively.
Wooten replaces Zam Jones, who was a key scorer and playmaker for NC State before her departure.

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