The Iowa State women's basketball team is focused on rebuilding its roster after nine players, including four starters, entered the transfer portal. However, guards Arianna Jackson and Evangelia Paulk plan to return, while Freya Jensen has decided to stay as well.
The Iowa State womenâs basketball team entered the offseason with one goal in mind â rebuild the roster.
The Cyclones have plenty to work to do after the season ended and the bulk of the team moving on.
Nine players on last season's roster, including four starters, announced they were hitting the transfer portal.
Guards Arianna Jackson and Evangelia Paulk said they plan to come back to Iowa State. Fellow guard Freya Jensen originally planned to enter the portal, but changed her mind.
That leaves plenty of spots for the Cyclones to fill.
Hereâs a look at the Cyclones who have revealed their plans to transfer, along with Iowa State's incoming transfers.
Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Reese Beaty (1) returns the ball against the Syracuse Orange in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Jada Williams (8) passes the ball against the Syracuse Orange in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Arianna Jackson (2) and Syracuse Orange guard Sophie Burrows (4) work for the ball in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Addy Brown (24) shoots the ball against the Syracuse Orange in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Madeline Potts (17) drives the ball against Iowa State Cyclones guard Kenzie Hare (12) in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach Bill Fennelly watches from the sideline as they take on the Syracuse Orange at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Addy Brown (24) shoots the ball against Syracuse Orange forward Journey Thompson (2) in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Jada Williams (8) shoots the ball against Syracuse Orange in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Jada Williams (8) shoots the ball against Syracuse Orange guard Laila Phelia (5) in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Syracuse Orange head coach Felisha Legette-Jack watches from the sideline as they take on the Iowa State Cyclones at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Jada Williams (8) returns then ball against the Syracuse Orange in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Sophie Burrows (4) blocks the shot of Iowa State Cyclones guard Arianna Jackson (2) in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Addy Brown (24) looks to pass the ball against Syracuse Orange forward Journey Thompson (2) in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; The Iowa State Cyclones and Syracuse Orange tip-off to start the First Round of the NCAA Womenâs Tournament at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones center Audi Crooks (55) shoots the ball against the Syracuse Orange in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Sophie Burrows (4) returns the ball against the Iowa State Cyclones in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Syracuse Orange center Uche Izoje (44) shoots the ball against Iowa State Cyclones center Audi Crooks (55) in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Reese Beaty (1) returns the ball against the Syracuse Orange in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Reese Beaty (1) returns the ball against the Syracuse Orange in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Jada Williams (8) passes the ball against the Syracuse Orange in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Arianna Jackson (2) and Syracuse Orange guard Sophie Burrows (4) work for the ball in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Addy Brown (24) shoots the ball against the Syracuse Orange in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Madeline Potts (17) drives the ball against Iowa State Cyclones guard Kenzie Hare (12) in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach Bill Fennelly watches from the sideline as they take on the Syracuse Orange at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Addy Brown (24) shoots the ball against Syracuse Orange forward Journey Thompson (2) in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Jada Williams (8) shoots the ball against Syracuse Orange in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Jada Williams (8) shoots the ball against Syracuse Orange guard Laila Phelia (5) in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Syracuse Orange head coach Felisha Legette-Jack watches from the sideline as they take on the Iowa State Cyclones at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Jada Williams (8) returns then ball against the Syracuse Orange in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Sophie Burrows (4) blocks the shot of Iowa State Cyclones guard Arianna Jackson (2) in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Addy Brown (24) looks to pass the ball against Syracuse Orange forward Journey Thompson (2) in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; The Iowa State Cyclones and Syracuse Orange tip-off to start the First Round of the NCAA Womenâs Tournament at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones center Audi Crooks (55) shoots the ball against the Syracuse Orange in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Sophie Burrows (4) returns the ball against the Iowa State Cyclones in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Syracuse Orange center Uche Izoje (44) shoots the ball against Iowa State Cyclones center Audi Crooks (55) in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Kent State Golden Flashes guard Mya Babbitt (23) shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the MAC Womenâs Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 11, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Babbitt, a guard from Kent State, was the first to announce her plans to come to Iowa State. The rising senior guard has one season of eligibility remaining and gives the Cyclones some scoring and experience.
During Babbittâs three seasons at Kent State, she started 60 of the 84 games she played in, averaging 11 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.
More: Kent State transfer Mya Babbitt on what drew her to Iowa State
She set the schoolâs single-season record for made 3-pointers with 83 as a sophomore, and is coming off her best season, averaging 16.1 points and 4.0 rebounds a contest.
Beaty, a 5-foot-8 freshman guard, made an immediate impact during her first collegiate season, appearing in 27 games and making two starts. She averaged 4.6 points per game while shooting 37.7% from the floor.
More: Iowa State point guard Reese Beaty entering transfer portal
She handed out 90 assists and ranked in the top 100 nationally in assist/turnover ratio (1.80). She announced on social media that she plans to transfer to Mississippi State.
Iowa State Cyclones' forward Alisa Williams (3) shoots the ball over over Sacred Heart Pioneers center Esther Kursite (14) during the fourth quarter on Nov. 9, 2025, at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa.
Williams came to Iowa State from LSU, where she was a part of a national title team. After redshirting her first season, Williams moved into a role backing up Iowa State star Audi Crooks, adding valuable depth the last two seasons.
She played in 32 games last season and made two starts while averaging 4.8 points and 3.3 rebounds in 11.8 minutes per game before announcing she was leaving.
Williams announced sheâll play next season at Indiana.
Iowa State Cyclones' guard Jada Williams (8) goes for a layup between Oklahoma State Cowgirls guard Amari Whiting (1) and forward Praise Egharevba (24) during the second quarter in the senior day women basketball at Hilton Coliseum on February. 25, 2026, in Ames, Iowa.
The other Williams on Iowa Stateâs roster spent just one season with the Cyclones after coming to Ames from Arizona. She turned into one of the best point guards in the country, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors by averaging 15.3 points, 7.7 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game.
She took over the starting spot for Emily Ryan and became a star, ranking in the top five nationally in both season assists and assists per game. Williams also delivered one of the best performances in program history, tallying an Iowa State Big 12 game and Hilton Coliseum record 44 points on 15-of-22 shooting against Cincinnati.
She announced that she plans to play at LSU.
Iowa State Cyclones' center/forward Lilly Taulelei (9) drives to the basket around Norther Iowa Panthers forward Maren Schmotzer (24) during the first quarter on December 14, 2025, at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa.
Taulelei began her career at UMass but then transferred to Iowa State, where sheâs spent the past two seasons providing depth in the post for the Cyclones. She appeared in 43 games over the last two seasons, averaging just 1.9 points in only 4.9 minutes per game.
Iowa State Cyclones' guard Kenzie Hare (12) takes a three-point shot during the third quarter in the Big-12 womenâs basketball at Hilton Coliseum on Feb. 18, 2026, in Ames, Iowa
Hare began her collegiate career at Marquette, where she was an elite 3-point shooter, but never got into a rhythm at Iowa State. A hip injury limited her to just 10 games during the 2024-25 season. Hare redshirted that season and returned the following season as a starter.
She averaged 6.0 points and 2.5 rebounds and hit one of the biggest shots of the season, knocking down a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer to beat Kansas.
Iowa State Cyclones' guard Reagan Wilson (22) drives with the ball around Kansas Jayhawks guard Libby Fandel (13) during the first quarter in the Big-12 womenâs basketball home opener on Dec. 21, 2025, at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa.
Wilson was an important player off the bench at times for Iowa State. She appeared in 59 games during her two seasons with the Cyclones and made three starts. Wilson, a high-energy guard who began her sophomore season buried on the bench, battled for brief playing time and finished the campaign with 2.5 points in 9 minutes per game.
Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Addy Brown (24) shoots the ball against the Syracuse Orange in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Brown, a McDonaldâs All-American out of high school, was one of Iowa Stateâs biggest recruiting wins and it showed. She earned a starting spot right away as a freshman and turned into one of the most versatile players in the country.
Brown started all 89 games she played in during her career at Iowa State and did a little bit of everything, averaging 13.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. During her junior season, she tallied the schoolâs first triple-double in over a decade.
A lower-body injury forced Brown to miss 11 games and the Cyclones suffered during her time on the sideline.
More: Iowa State women's basketball star Addy Brown to enter transfer portal
Iowa State Cyclones' Aili Tanke (32) drives around Southern Lady Jaguars guard Mykayla Cunningham (8) during the fourth quarter on Nov. 5, 2025, at Hilton Coliseum, Ames.
Tanke was a big pickup out of Johnston High School. During her freshman season, she played in 32 games and made six starts. But the following season, her playing time diminished with Tanke appearing in just 12 games and averaging only 0.9 points and 1.4 rebounds in 7.2 minutes per contest.
Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones center Audi Crooks (55) shoots the ball against Syracuse Orange center Oyindamola Akinbolawa (25) in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Crooks was the biggest loss for the Cyclones in the transfer portal. The Algona native was a star on and off the court for the Cyclones as a popular player, with fans flocking to see her. Crooks usually delivered, averaging 22.8 points per game during her 99 games with the Cyclones.
The multi-time All-American led the Big 12 in scoring and set Iowa State's single-season scoring and field goal records.
She broke the schoolâs single-game scoring record multiple times and still has the mark after tallying 47 points on 19-of-25 shooting during a victory against Indiana.
Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018, 2020, 2023 and 2025 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State women's basketball transfer tracker, who's coming and going
Nine players from the Iowa State women's basketball team entered the transfer portal.
Guards Arianna Jackson and Evangelia Paulk plan to return, along with Freya Jensen, who initially considered entering the portal but decided to stay.
The departing players included four starters, primarily consisting of guards and other key positions.
The goal for Iowa State women's basketball this offseason is to rebuild the roster after significant departures.
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