WBB Transfer Portal Targets 2025-2026

[HawksGoneWild1]

Would Aarnisalo also be the presumptive pg starter at North Carolina, replacing Donarski?

If I'm reading this right, Reniya Kelly was already the starting PG for UNC by stating they project to return starting point guard Reniya Kelly,.

UNC Women’s Basketball looks to the transfer portal for a true post presence
"Looking ahead to next season’s roster, in the backcourt, UNC projects to return starting point guard Reniya Kelly, starting shooting guard Indya Nivar, sixth-woman Lanie Grant, and role players Trayanna Crisp and Laila Hull. In the frontcourt, UNC projects to return 6-foot-4 forward Ciera Toomey and 6-foot-5 center Blanca Thomas."

UNC Women’s Basketball looks to the transfer portal for a true post presence

Have the Tar Heels found their next starting center and replacement for Maria Gakdeng?

keepingitheel.com

EDIT: Oops... Only found Lexi listed as a guard/wing. Couldn't find PG for Lexi at UNC. However, this article says she's a PG as well. Probably need game footage to see for sure if she interchanged with Reniya Kelly or not.
"This month, Daniel caught up with University of North Carolina point guard and 2020 La Crosse Aquinas graduate Lexi Donarski.'

Aquinas basketball legend, Lexi Donarski: An update to where she’s been and where she’s going

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – Here at FOX2548 and WiProud, we’re excited to introduce a brand-new monthly segment: Student Athlete Spotlight. Each month, our digital reporter Daniel Lins will sit down with a local student athlete to take an in-depth look at their journey, achievements, and...

sports.yahoo.com

Most of the articles I've come across state Reniya Kelly as starting PG.


Reniya Kelly's 14-point game pushes UNC women's basketball to win over Boston College (1/12/2025)
"Reniya Kelly was taken off guard when graduate forward Alyssa Ustby tried to sing her praises.

“She's been able to develop so fast throughout practices to be able to command the team on the court,” Ustby said. “Having a point guard that can, first of all, score, can get her own [shots and] can facilitate for other people and keep the temperature of the court steady, that's very, very hard to find.”

The sophomore guard covered her face with her hands, turned away and blushed.

“It takes a lot to be a point [guard] and have to run the team with so many different personalities, and [hearing that is] big for me,” Kelly said.

Starting at point guard is something that Kelly has taken in stride, especially in UNC women's basketball's 80-67 victory over Boston College on Sunday afternoon in Carmichael Arena. Kelly provided the spark that North Carolina needed after trailing 40-37 at the half, recording 14 points, three rebounds and two assists in 30 minutes of playing time."

Reniya Kelly's 14-point game pushes UNC women's basketball to win over Boston College

Sophomore guard Reniya Kelly has stepped into a larger role during her second season.

www.dailytarheel.com

 

[SunzOutGunzOut]

Two UCLA transfers now following the Iowa WBB account, Guard Elina Aranisalo following Iowa WBB, Taylor McCabe and Lucy Olsen and Forward Zania Socka Nguemen is now following Iowa WBB.

Nguemen to Indiana

 

[citizenHawk]

Oh!
Just watched this clip and now I see it. Aarnisalo would be fantastic playing in Iowa's return to running. Imagine she's getting a big dose of film from 2023-24 this weekend. Hope she can see the possibilities.

You have to arrow over to it in the next panel:

 

[Ladell-hawk]

View embedded media

The rich get a little less rich

We should try and bring her to Iowa, excellent player.

 

[HawksGoneWild1]

Oh!
Just watched this clip and now I see it. Aarnisalo would be fantastic playing in Iowa's return to running. Imagine she's getting a big dose of film from 2023-24 this weekend. Hope she can see the possibilities.

You have to arrow over to it in the next panel:

View embedded media

I'm going to give you what I've come across from UCLA fans and a UCLA fan on TOS. They pretty much mirror each other.

There's a key to unlock Elina's full potential. If you watch the above clip on the 2nd panel, Elina is playing PG.

That right there is the primary key to her success. When she played PG in placed of Kiki Rice, she flourished like a CC.

However, when Kiki came back from injury and Elina was moved to playing off guard, that's when her stats and playing wasn't as stellar.

I'm just going to tell you from my experience. When you take the ball away from someone who is very creative in the full court, that player can somewhat disengage from the execution process when placed somewhere else. Doesn't happen to everyone, just some. Some players just do not play well outside of their comfort "fun" zone.

Their creative juices flow like a raging river with the ball in their hand full court. They feel like a master magician. However, you put them over on the off-guard sideline and the brain slows down to a crawl. It's like it takes the fun out of it for them. It's almost like full court creativity is drug to them, an adrenaline fix. Imho, suspect that's what happens to Elina. Doesn't mean it can't change. Just something to be aware of with her.

 

[citizenHawk]

I'm going to give you what I've come across from UCLA fans and a UCLA fan on TOS. They pretty much mirror each other.

There's a key to unlock Elina's full potential. If you watch the above clip on the 2nd panel, Elina is playing PG.

That right there is the primary key to her success. When she played PG in placed of Kiki Rice, she flourished like a CC.

However, when Kiki came back from injury and Elina was moved to playing off guard, that's when her stats and playing wasn't as stellar.

I'm just going to tell you from my experience. When you take the ball away from someone who is very creative in the full court, that player can somewhat disengage from the execution process when placed somewhere else. Doesn't happen to everyone, just some. Some players just do not play well outside of their comfort "fun" zone.

Their creative juices flow like a raging river with the ball in their hand full court. They feel like a master magician. However, you put them over on the off-guard sideline and the brain slows down to a crawl. It's like it takes the fun out of it for them. It's almost like full court creativity is drug to them, an adrenaline fix. Imho, suspect that's what happens to Elina. Doesn't mean it can't change. Just something to be aware of with her.

Yep, and yep. Sell her on this and I think she's a Hawkeye. 💥 Lots of potential here to get the transition game flying again.

 

[HawksGoneWild1]

Better learn how navigate this newer terrain or you'll get left behind.

59 teams have had 7 or more players enter the portal so far!

For a full list:



Just so you understand what I mean. Outside of the Elite top schools this year of UConn, SC, ND and TX, the other 12 schools have at least 2 of more portal transfers. That means 75% of the Sweet 16 schools have 2 or more transfers. If you dial in a little closer, you'll notice ~19% of the schools have all 5 starters from 5 different schools. The sweet spot is 7 teams that have 2 transfers. That's almost 50% of the Sweet 16 teams. Follow the blueprint...

Sweet 16 Starting Lineups by Original/Prior School

The # of Schools/Teams Breakdown:
5 Schools: 3 Teams (4 - 5 Transfers)
4 Schools: 2 Team (3 Transfers)
3 Schools: 7 Teams (2 Transfers)
2 Schools: 4 Teams (1 Transfer)
1 School: 0 Teams (0 Transfers and all on-campus development)

Article Title: DI leading scorer Ta’Niya Latson commits to South Carolina
"Ta’Niya Latson, the leading scorer in Division I, has decided to transfer to South Carolina, where she will join a high school teammate and try to help the Gamecocks win another national championship."

"“Feelin’ cocky!” Latson wrote with a heart emoji."

"I’m excited for what our team will look like next year,” Staley said after the loss to UConn. “I am, because I do think they’ll be talented enough to get here, especially with getting in the transfer portal and getting some experienced pieces that can help with this young group."
“LET’S RUN IT BACK TWIN!!!!” Johnson wrote before saying in another post, “Now, let me go get us a post player!!!

https://www.siouxlandproud.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-di-leading-scorer-taniya-latson-commits-to-south-carolina/

 

[Rocket_Fran]

Look at Iowa over the last two years for a demonstration of the value and advantage of roster consistency. Obviously, CC & overwhelming talent is preferable, but sans any major coaching advantage, the team chemistry makes up for a lot with a talent discrepancy.

Additionally, I think the transfer portal can cause a kind of roster inertia that is the proverbial snowball rolling down the hill. Too much transfer portal reliance, one too many years, and it's impossible to reset without suffering a couple of major down years.

So, I just think we're closer rather than further in terms of how much more talent we need to compete against these overly transfer-reliant teams for the final 4. Doesn't make the patience required any easier or more fun. Still, they'd better land one good fish this offseason or else JanCo is putting a looooot of chips down in the 2026/2027 classes.

 

[herkhatescy2]

Surprised Guyton didn't go to Indiana, but I'm not familiar with their exact situation. If true about Illinois, I hope she does great-- except for when they play Iowa.

Indiana didn't want to deal with her dad.

 

[WDSMHAWK]

 

[Hawkeyes2133]

View embedded media

Thats nuts. It won't do them much good if they aren't athletic and can't shoot though. What good is a 6'2 player on the wings not being able to shoot.

Or if not athletic they can't guard a 3. Same with a 6-7 girl not being able to guard someone like an affolter.

That said it could work or could be bad. But tcu is definitely coming up in wbb

 

[citizenHawk]

They will still be playing to a near empty arena. Mid season this past year, pretty sure I tuned into a game with nothing but family and friends in the seats.

 

[hawkod]

They will still be playing to a near empty arena. Mid season this past year, pretty sure I tuned into a game with nothing but family and friends in the seats.

Their website lists their average attendance as 3223 for 24-25 season.

 

[letsgosports]

They will still be playing to a near empty arena. Mid season this past year, pretty sure I tuned into a game with nothing but family and friends in the seats.

I bet they will get more people to come to games this year… they made it to the Elite 8 last year and have Olivia Miles coming in. People love winning and watching her play.

 

[SCHawkFan]

I bet they will get more people to come to games this year… they made it to the Elite 8 last year and have Olivia Miles coming in. People love winning and watching her play.

So, 5000?

 

[BraydonRoberts5]

TCU has a fairly small enrollment (13,000). For reference, Iowa's is 32,000 and Northwestern's is 23,000. Plus its not one of the state schools. I'd guess they'd always struggle somewhat with attendance because the fan base is likely smaller than most P4 schools.

 

[Tom Paris]

TCU has a fairly small enrollment (13,000). For reference, Iowa's is 32,000 and Northwestern's is 23,000. Plus its not one of the state schools. I'd guess they'd always struggle somewhat with attendance because the fan base is likely smaller than most P4 schools.

They do draw 47,000 for football though. It's football, but they do have fans around down there.

 

[r448chlpo]

Coach JJ is being so successful at keeping transfer portal developments "in house" that we are left to discuss TCU wbb and the "leaking ship" of other programs. Also, reflections upon our single departure for the year! There has been mention of a couple misses but otherwise silence. I hope the process bears fruit... actually, getting a little boring. Still, the botton-line is what really counts. Here's hoping little news becomes good news!!!

 

[GunnerHawk]

View embedded media

Impressive how Jan and her staff kept the visit quiet until she was on her visit. Hope Elina finds Iowa a perfect fit, just like Lucy this past season.

 

[hawkod]

Impressive how Jan and her staff kept the visit quiet until she was on her visit. Hope Elina finds Iowa a perfect fit, just like Lucy this past season.

Really surprised at how little buzz there is on Carolina's websites regarding Elina. Their 247 outlet has been the only place I've found any WBB content. When the 1st post came out saying she was going to visit Iowa and North Carolina it came with the caption, "Yet another transfer target". A whopping 2 replies have appeared in the 48 hours since the original posting. Compare that to several hundred across the 3 main Iowa forums. Carolina averaged 3290 fans/game last year in an arena that seats less than 7000. I know everyone may be looking for something different when they enter the portal, but it's clear the WBB program there isn't much more than an afterthought.

 

[BraydonRoberts5]

 

[jaxhawk06]

So I think Heckel is still out there but we're probably not the favorites. Other than that I don't think there are any other confirmed targets

 

[littlez]

View embedded media

I mean either we clearly don’t know how to close or I just don’t understand what’s going on. We had and still have the best atmosphere in women’s college basketball. She visits Iowa first and then immediately goes to Carolina and commits. And don’t tell me we didn’t want her. We brought her in. Carolina is a fine program, sweet 16 this year but the buzz CC created seems to be already out the door. On to the next. We’ll eventually get someone, but damn this is a frustrating process.

 

[Scott559]

View embedded media

Well that sucks.

 

[millah_22]

So I think Heckel is still out there but we're probably not the favorites. Other than that I don't think there are any other confirmed targets

I haven't heard anything that there is any interest between Iowa and Heckel.

 

[BraydonRoberts5]

I mean either we clearly don’t know how to close or I just don’t understand what’s going on. We had and still have the best atmosphere in women’s college basketball. She visits Iowa first and then immediately goes to Carolina and commits. And don’t tell me we didn’t want her. We brought her in. Carolina is a fine program, sweet 16 this year but the buzz CC created seems to be already out the door. On to the next. We’ll eventually get someone, but damn this is a frustrating process.

It's a big miss. No need to sugar coat it. Other than Heckel, Tonie Morgen, (or Fulwiley but that seems unrealistic) I'm not sure who's available still that moves the needle.

Edit: Destiny Leo from Cleveland State could make sense as a wing scorer with Deal as primary PG. She only has 1 year left, which fits the timeline of going all in on the 2026 class. I don't love forcing Deal into the PG role, but at this point I'm probably not going to love any of the remaining solutions.

 

[millah_22]

It's a big miss. No need to sugar coat it. Other than Heckel, Tonie Morgen, (or Fulwiley but that seems unrealistic) I'm not sure who's available still that moves the needle.

Fulwiley has a DNC tag so she likely has a destination already.

 

[Hawkeyes2133]

It's a big miss. No need to sugar coat it. Other than Heckel, Tonie Morgen, (or Fulwiley but that seems unrealistic) I'm not sure who's available still that moves the needle.

No this one hurts. Theirs still over 1000 transfers out their. We got to find our player. I believe in jan. I like tonie if she is the gtech transfer.

If we some how landed fulwiley we'd be in great shape. Heckel too. Just remember it's all about the fit. We'll get ours!! Don't make a move that disrupts that locker room

 

[jaxhawk06]

I haven't heard anything that there is any interest between Iowa and Heckel.

Skim Milkey has reported that Iowa is going after Heckel but aren't the favorites

 

[Hawkeyes2133]

Fulwiley has a DNC tag so she likely has a destination already.

Dnc only means reach out to my agent not me.. but schools do break that like we saw with stirtz

 

[HawksGoneWild1]

I haven't heard anything that there is any interest between Iowa and Heckel.

In addition to the mutual interest with Aarnisalo, Iowa is rumored to have made an aggressive play to get Heckel.

I guess if this is true, we wouldn't have thrown our hat in the ring if there wasn't mutual interest. Maybe undersized_post can give us an update on this?

Btw, @undersized_post also reported this regarding Gal Raviv. Raviv selected Miami in the end. So my gut tells me there's probably something to it.

We are rumored to be competing with UNC and Miami (FL) who have supposedly offered $250k.

 

[2212hawk]

View embedded media

Wow. This is getting rough. Sure hope Jan has an alternate plan, because it sure looks like she is missing on all the top portal players.

I just keep thinking about this team without Lucy on the floor. It was not pretty. Maybe Addie Deal can handle it, but if not we could see quite a drop next year.

 

[GunnerHawk]

View embedded media

Welp that just sucks. Explains why we weren't hearing anything.

 

[GunnerHawk]

View embedded media

Welp that just sucks. Explains why we weren't hearing anything.

I mean either we clearly don’t know how to close or I just don’t understand what’s going on. We had and still have the best atmosphere in women’s college basketball. She visits Iowa first and then immediately goes to Carolina and commits. And don’t tell me we didn’t want her. We brought her in. Carolina is a fine program, sweet 16 this year but the buzz CC created seems to be already out the door. On to the next. We’ll eventually get someone, but damn this is a frustrating process.

There are numerous issues that go into a decision.

- $$$
- Degree they are seeking
- college prestige
- history of long term succesd
- travel ( I think this is huge for these west coast BIG teams)
- fit with coach and team
- ability to advance to the final four
- fan support may not be big to her or a lot of players

 

[herkhatescy2]

Welp that just sucks. Explains why we weren't hearing anything.

There are numerous issues that go into a decision.

- $$$
- Degree they are seeking
- college prestige
- history of long term succesd
- travel ( I think this is huge for these west coast BIG teams)
- fit with coach and team
- ability to advance to the final four
- fan support may not be big to her or a lot of players

You didn't have to say any more than $$$

 

[jaxhawk06]

UNC did recruit her out of high school so she already had a relationship with them

 

[BraydonRoberts5]

You didn't have to say any more than $$$

With Aarnisalo being an international player, I think other factors probably played a bigger part in her recruitment than most.

 

[Tom Paris]

View embedded media

Good Lord. I don't get it.

 

[Hawkeyes2133]

Good Lord. I don't get it.

I hear ya. Maybe theirs a plan. Theirs still so many girls out their

 

[intrepodor]

View embedded media

So much for small crowds.