Twelve players expected to reshape college basketball rosters after transfer surge

The transfer portal has reshaped the competitive balance in women's college basketball. Stanford, Iowa State, and Tennessee lost the majority of their rosters this cycle. Those departures provided opportunities for other programs to strengthen their lineups. Nearly 1,600 players entered the portal during this window. Analysts have identified twelve specific athletes who are projected to alter the dynamics of their new teams immediately.

Audi Crooks is the highest-profile addition for Oklahoma State. The 6-foot-3 senior center left Iowa State, where she was the second-leading scorer in program history. Last season, she averaged 25.8 points per game for the Cyclones. The Cowgirls have added substantial talent inside the paint with her arrival. She joins a roster that has already secured multiple high-impact recruits.

UCLA is working to rebuild after losing six top contributors from its previous national championship squad. Addy Brown, a 6-2 senior forward, is joining the Bruins. She averaged 13.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists for Iowa State last year. Injuries caused her to miss eleven games during that season. Coach Cori Close expects Brown to be a central figure in the team's offensive rebounding and playmaking.

Talaysia Cooper, a 6-0 senior guard, has moved from Tennessee to Ole Miss. She averaged 16.6 points for the Lady Vols last season and shot 34.3% from beyond the three-point line. Her physical length is expected to improve the offensive spacing for Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin. Cooper is one of several key players who departed the Tennessee program.

Madison St. Rose arrives at Notre Dame as a 5-10 graduate guard. She left Princeton after exhausting her eligibility, a common occurrence for Ivy League athletes who do not have a graduate year option. She will provide veteran experience in the backcourt. St. Rose is positioned to form a complementary unit with star player Hannah Hidalgo.

Jordan Lee, a 6-0 junior guard, is transferring from Texas to South Carolina. She was the Longhorns' second-leading scorer, averaging 13.2 points last season. Lee is noted for her perimeter defense. She is joining a South Carolina squad that already features a deep roster of talented players.

Aaliyah Crump, a 6-1 sophomore forward, is joining Duke from Texas. She averaged 7.9 points last season but played in only 24 games due to injury. Her three-point shooting percentage stood at 32%. Coach Kara Lawson views her as a potential offensive threat from the perimeter for the Blue Devils.

Nunu Agara, a 6-2 senior forward, is moving from Stanford to Maryland. Over her three seasons at Stanford, she averaged 11.4 points and 6.1 rebounds. Last year, her production increased to 15.3 points and 8.7 rebounds. Her experience is intended to guide a young Maryland roster.

Liv McGill, a 5-9 junior guard, is leaving Florida for Oklahoma State. She averaged 22.5 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.1 rebounds for the Gators last season. Her role in the offense is expected to become less demanding now that Audi Crooks is on the same team.

Dani Carnegie, a 5-9 junior guard, is making her second transfer to Iowa. She averaged 17.8 points for Georgia last season. As a freshman at Georgia Tech, she averaged 12.9 points. The Hawkeyes are looking to her for consistent scoring production.

Jada Williams, a 5-8 senior guard, is heading to LSU. She is playing for her third program after a stint at Arizona and a season with Iowa State. Last year, she averaged 15.3 points and 7.7 assists for the Cyclones. She is regarded as one of the top point guards in the nation.

Donovyn Hunter, a 6-0 senior guard, is joining UCLA for her third team. She reached the Elite Eight at Oregon State as a freshman. She helped TCU advance to the same tournament stage in the two subsequent seasons. Last year, she averaged 10.2 points and 3.2 rebounds for the Horned Frogs while shooting 33.7% from three-point range.