WBB Transfer Portal Targets 2025-2026
- Thread starter HawksGoneWild1
- Start date
I sympathize with this position and wish that I could endorse it.
With the current environment, especially considering the large volume of annual transfers,I now believe it is incumbent upon a HC to optimize the roster each and every season even if that increases the possibility that current roster player(s) may transfer out. If JJ believes ER improves the roster and the likelihood of winnng this year, you bring her on board. If Mallegni transfers so be it.
…..with one caveat: the incoming transfer must be a good cultural fit (ala Feuerbach, Davis, Olsen).
Emely posted pics of her Iowa and Indiana visits on her I.G. account.
The players weren’t there when she visited.
Re: Emely Rodriguez
Yes, most of our scientific eyeball analytics have not deceived us yet.
Seems she might be more excited about the Indiana visit for:
1) Posting it to her acct 1st
2) Posting it with ~4 hours lead time over ours
Now that 4 hours difference to make that 2nd post of ours might happen with a bunch of old chaps like a lot of us on this board but to these tech savvy youngsters today she should know of a way to post them at the same time.
Now here is where it hits even harder on the comments section.
Indiana has player *comments from:
On Thursday:
1) Shay Ciezki (there only top returning player from last year)
2) Sydney Fenn (one of the other 4 returners from last year)
3) Zania “Z” Socka-Nguemen (new portal transfer from UCLA)
4) Karoline Striplin (alum just graduated from IN WBB)
5) Sydney Parrish (alum just graduated from IN WBB)
6) Chloe Spreen (new portal transfer from Alabama)
7) Lenée Beaumont (one of the other 4 returners from last year)
8) Phoenix Stotjin (new portal transfer from Arkansas)
9) Edessa Noyan (new portal transfer from Virginia)
Iowa has player *comments from:
From Thursday morning to early Friday morning:
-) Crickets
Added new comments on Friday:
1) Taylor Stremlow
2) Chit-Chat
*I do not have an IG acct so I can not see all comments. However, been my experience that people with checkmarks by their name float to the top.
It's not a good look if NONE of our players are there for a visit. I surely would not feel welcomed. Second, if Jan felt good about it, she'd blast a text out to her players and tell them to hit her up with some love like she got from IN players listed above. I'm sure Addie Deal wasn't in IC for Chit-Chat's visit, yet she found a way to comment on Wright's post. Coach gives the signal and the cavalry pitches in on command.
These indicators seem to point in one direction and it's not a good sign as already stated. Doesn't mean we're 100% out of it. She maybe on the fence on some issue(s) and waiting for a sign to push her over to one side or the other.
From the silence of IA players until Fri and the lackluster firepower of the IN team, would not be surprised if she called OK and said I'm ready to take less to be 6th or 7th player and come off the bench if that's what it takes.
EDIT 1:
Added Sydney Parrish to IN list.
EDIT 2:
Added Taylor Stremlow to IA list.
Added Chit-Chat to IA list.
Added Chloe Spreen to IN list.
Added Lenée Beaumont to IN list.
Added Phoenix Stotjin to IN list.
Added Edessa Noyan to IN list.
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At the same time posting Iowa 2nd makes the Iowa post the top post on her profile.
She even unpinned her top posts so the Iowa post shows first.
Not saying who she is or isn’t picking. Just saying you can find any point or angle to say where she could be leaning if you try hard enough.
She even unpinned her top posts so the Iowa post shows first.
Not saying who she is or isn’t picking. Just saying you can find any point or angle to say where she could be leaning if you try hard enough.
Also Deal posted on Wright’s commitment post. That’s different than a visit post for a person you don’t know.
All that being said.. I’d rather not get the commitment and roll the dice with Woliczko or Bjorn and not have a major sophomore class imbalance.
All that being said.. I’d rather not get the commitment and roll the dice with Woliczko or Bjorn and not have a major sophomore class imbalance.
What is so bad about having another sophomore? I don’t see why it is a bad thing.
Hate to go here, but Jan said she had a 2nd scoring forward she was trying to line up a visit with a week or two ago. Haven't heard a peep on it since. We may need to pursue it as our last resort or Emely could already be our last effort of this portal season. Hope Emely makes a decision soon or Jan reveals her 2nd target or even if she's pulling up the tent.
Should add July 1st with House Settlement rules could change who is eligible and it could open up another short round of players to go after (eg Georgia Woolley and Isis Beh types).
Point of doing this is also to show Jan is getting at the end of any meaningful choices being available to her. One can see why Emely Rodriguez is probably the best out of the bunch.
Here are the portal players remaining with Syd's height or taller, ~5+pts/gm and has a 3% or something good about their stats. Listed by 3% as that's one of the main features of our 3/4 stretch position to space out the floor.
Outside of maybe Jasmine Jones, there's not a lot that trip many triggers of excitement and she's even a stretch for it. Maybe look at Saige Stahl or Saniyah Neverson as reserve insurance for injuries that could be picked up inexpensively and not trip any transfer alarm bells in the process? Sure hope I'm overlooking a nice gem in here somewhere or elsewhere in the portal not listed here.
Should add July 1st with House Settlement rules could change who is eligible and it could open up another short round of players to go after (eg Georgia Woolley and Isis Beh types).
Point of doing this is also to show Jan is getting at the end of any meaningful choices being available to her. One can see why Emely Rodriguez is probably the best out of the bunch.
Here are the portal players remaining with Syd's height or taller, ~5+pts/gm and has a 3% or something good about their stats. Listed by 3% as that's one of the main features of our 3/4 stretch position to space out the floor.
Outside of maybe Jasmine Jones, there's not a lot that trip many triggers of excitement and she's even a stretch for it. Maybe look at Saige Stahl or Saniyah Neverson as reserve insurance for injuries that could be picked up inexpensively and not trip any transfer alarm bells in the process? Sure hope I'm overlooking a nice gem in here somewhere or elsewhere in the portal not listed here.
| Player/On3 Stats | Current Team | 3% | Notes | New Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasmine Jones, 5-11, G, Jr. (8.8 ppg) | New Orleans | 42.3% | GmSr against TCU is ok. Gm Sr against AL and TX Tech are somewhat neutral. Baylor not so good. Overall her GmSr avg is not that high. Rest of the stats are so-so. | |
| Courtney Dahlquist, 6-3, F, Sr. (10 ppg, 4.3 rpg) | Campbell | 37.5% | Didn't play well against all three P5 teams. | |
| Jo Raflo, 5-11, G, Sr. (14.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg) | Mount St. Mary’s | 37.3% | Not good GmSrs | |
| Isis Beh, 6-3, F, Sr. (8.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg) | Arizona | 37.1% | Needs eligibility rule change to be considered the top of what's left. | |
| Georgia Woolley, 6-0, G, Sr. (16 ppg, 4 rpg, 3.6 apg) | Syracuse | 34.1% | Needs eligibility rule change to be considered the top of what's left. | |
| Emely Rodriguez, 6-0, G, Fr. (11.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg) | CFU | 33.3% | Made visits to IA & IN. Her main negative is Net on ORtg - DRtg. | → Iowa |
| Izzy Forsyth, 6-0, G, Sr. (8.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg – 2023-24) | UC San Diego | 32.8% | Year removed from playing and one negative GmSc against P5. | |
| Renna Schwieterman, 6-0, F, Soph. (5.7 ppg) | Purdue Fort Wayne | 32.6% | Not good GmSrs | |
| Valentina Saric, 6-2, F, Soph. (6 ppg) | FIU | 32.2% | Not good GmSrs; No so hot stats. | |
| Maggie Stutelberg, 5-11, G, Jr. (5.2 ppg) | Western Michigan | 32.2% | Not good GmSrs | |
| Angeliki Ziaka, 6-, G, Fr. (8 ppg, 3.2 apg, 1.6 spg) | San Francisco | 31.4% | Overall neutral GmSr against Mid-Majors. Below avg against one P5. | → Davidson |
| Chloe Sotell, 6-0, G, Fr. (10.6 ppg, 3 apg) | Pepperdine | 31.3% | Not great stats ratings | → Missouri |
| Jasmine Payne, 6-0, F, Sr. (9.6 ppg) | East Texas A&M | 31.3% | Decent GmSc against AK but generally not the best stats. | → Withdrew |
| Shamaryah Duncan, 5-11, G, Sr. (5.8 ppg) | North Texas | 30.6% | Not good GmSrs | → Tulsa |
| Ella Brubaker, 6-0, G, Sr. (8.8 ppg, 1 spg) | Pepperdine | 30.0% | Only 1 GmSr with P5 and it was negative. | → Seattle |
| Jess Finney, 6-0, G, Sr. (7.1 ppg) | Loyola Chicago | 29.8% | Stats don't look so hot. | |
| Madison Roshelle, 5-11, G, Sr. (5.6 ppg) | Charlotte | 29.2% | One decent game against Miami (FL) otherwise not great stats. | |
| Saniyah Neverson, 6-1, F, Jr. (6.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg) | Northern Arizona | 28.9% | P4/5 GmSr better than mid majors. | → Hawaii |
| Saige Stahl, 6-1, F, Soph. (7.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg) | Indiana State | 28.6% | She had good GmSr's against P4/5 teams. She has a good Player Efficiency Rating (21.0) and very high Scoring Efficiency rating (want 1.200 or higher and she has 1.461); Not big on 3's @ (2 for 7). | → Purdue |
| Chantae Embry, 6-1, F, Sr. (11.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg) | SMU | 26.8% | Her season ended right at the redshirt cutoff of 15 games. Found no reports on no eligibility or a redshirt season yet. | |
| Jenae Dublin, 6-2, G, Sr. (7.2 ppg, 5 rpg) | Hampton | 25.0% | Not clear on her eligibility w/2 seasons under 15 games. | |
| Karrington Gordon, 6-0, G (9.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg – 2023-24) | Central Michigan | 24.7% | Year removed from playing. Had one decent game against MI St. | |
| Angena Belloso, 5-11, G, Jr. (7.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.6 apg) | FIU | 24.1% | High devalue on GmSr against P5. | |
| Khady Leye, 6-2, F, Fr. (9.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1 spg) | Towson | 24.0% | High devalue on GmSr against P5. | → Auburn |
| Luisa Vydrova, 6-1, F, Soph. (9.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg) | UTEP | 20.0% | Not good GmSrs | |
| Lily Carmody, 5-11, G, Fr. (6.6 ppg) | Butler | 19.6% | Bad stats rating scores | → Boston College |
| Lyla Kahrimanovic, 5-11, G, Fr. (8.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.2 spg) | McNeese | 19.0% | Not good GmSrs; Some descent stats | → SLCC |
| Andrea Daley, 6-0, G, Sr. (8.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg) | Boston College | 18.5% | Eligibility concerns | |
| Courtney Wristen, 6-2, F, Sr. (5.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg) | San Diego | 18.2% | Not good GmSrs | |
| Jada Patton, 5-11, F, Jr. (7.9 ppg) | IU Indy | 16.7% | Not good GmSrs | → Jackson State |
| Nigeria Harkless, 6-2, F, Sr. (6.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg) | LIU | 16.7% | Not good stat rankings. One decent GmSc against MN. | |
| Kadidia Toure, 6-3, F, Jr. (5.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg – 2023-24) | Arizona State | 16.7% | Year removed from playing | → LIU |
| Dunja Zecevic, 6-1, F, So. (5.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg) | UTEP | 15.0% | Not a lot of good GmSr | → Duquesne |
| Justina Graham, 5-11, F, Sr. (5.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg) | Alabama State | 11.8% | Good GmSr against OK St, decent GmSc with OK but bad GmSr against FL, AL, MI St, Auburn and VA. | |
| Deivejon Harris, 6-3, F, Jr. (6.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg) | Texas Southern | 11.1% | Not good GmSrs | → Hofstra |
| Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda, 6-2, F, Jr. (5.6 ppg) | Texas | 5.6% | Otherwise worthy of consideration | → Vanderbilt |
| Laniah Randle, 5-11, F, Sr. (11.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg) | Missouri | 0.0% | Needs eligibility rule change to be considered the top of what's left. Otherwise has good stat scoring line. | |
| Skylah Travis, 6-3, F, Sr. (5.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg) | Louisiana | 0.0% | Has high 31 PER and high NRtg which is good; No games again P5. | → Richmond |
| Finau Tonga, 6-2, F, Sr. (8.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg) | San Jose State | - | No 3s in her wheelhouse. Good GmSc against Cal and Xavier. | → Minnesota |
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It's easier to deal with in the portal era, but Iowa would have 7 players in its sophomore class, meaning after the 2027-2028 season, it would have to replace half the roster. Even if you don't consider that a problem, there would likely be some chemistry issues early in 2028-2029 because there are so many new players.
There also might not be many scholarships available for the 2027 class depending on what is done in 2026.
Chit Chat and Stremlow commented as well.
If there are two weeks out of the year to throw out the commenting and liking as any sign of prognostication, then this is one of those weeks. 1/3 of the whole team is going through their second round of finals ever, and the spring is always more challenging than the fall on top of it.
I say Emely took a dive in the quarry near Bloomington and decided it's not her thing 
Honestly with the way NIL and transfers are evolving I just assume transfers are going to happen, Iowa has been pretty fortunate so far on the transfer landscape but I will be very surprised if that continues. The pressure to win now is pretty high at Iowa, Jan and fans want to strike while the iron is hot in regard to capitalizing on recent success and I fear the days of having some patience while players develop may become a thing of the past.
Jensen is probably pretty accurate in judging why the program has been popular. A portal program will never bond to the fanbase in the same way. It's something to balance, for sure, but you don't want to lose the core personality of the program.
Thank you for this post. There is a reason why Iowa basketball fans are so rabid. Take away the Gabbies, Kates, and Sydneys and I'm no longer a fan.
Flip side is 22-12 or similar records & battling for spots 12-8 in the standings will lose fans as well. I know we were spoiled with CC but it was difficult to watch at times & certainly wasn’t must see TV for me this year. I'm fine with turning over 50% of the roster yearly if it puts a better product on the floor. Could be in the minority though 🤷♂️
Agree I want to continue the momentum and adapt by bringing in the best talent we can.
I'm happy with the team we have and would hate to bring in someone that may not be as good as we already have, and then lose one of our current players. I will be watching Iowa WBB this year just as I have for the past 20 years and really look forward to every game.
Jan is clearly only looking at upgrades in the portal. She is not recruiting just anyone for depth. Rodriguez has proven she can score and rebound at a high level — as a freshman. Our current wings are still unproven. If they could do that, Jan would have given them the green light. Few kids get offers from both UConn and South Carolina. She would be an immediate impact player.
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I agree with this as well. It's just a tough thing to balance. Something I recall Jensen talking about when she's thinking out loud, and I can see what she's talking about. I think she's selling that with the high school recruits. Hard to know.
I’ve not been following the NCAA stuff on 5th season eligibility as of late so sorry if this is a dumb question, but is there any chance Syd could come back for a 5th year depending what happens with the courts/NCAA?
I just think for some fans the portal has somewhat of a stigma to it, Most seem OK if we can land top level recruits in the 26 class which IMO could lead to departures from the current roster if Jan is successful, Yet they feel players are being betrayed if you go to the portal to get players. IMO if Jan is honest and states the goal is to win Big Championships and contend nationally and that you as a player will be given every chance to compete for minutes then you decide if you want to compete.
I get the love of feel good stories like Gabbie, Syd, Kate etc, I just think it comes down to do you want to compete with the best teams in the country or not. The elite programs load up on talent yearly and toes get stepped on. But I also believe players going to those programs know they are going to compete against top talent to get minutes.
Like I said earlier, The landscape is evolving right in front of us, You evolve or you get left behind.
This is being considered, but nothing will happen on it until after the revenue sharing settlement is approved. Could it happen this summer? Yes. Is it likely to happen before next season? No.
It’s not looking good but in theory yes.
House v. NCAA settlement complicated — and still not settled
Friday, May 16, 2025
Click link here …
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Really great point! However, those stories literally don't get told without the winning to go alongside it. So, not much a coach can do when the system doesn't allow for the best competition to come from one's preferred team system/model. I'm not saying that IS the case and it's impossible to know at this point.
It will likely always be "possible" to win with any system with good enough recruiting. The question is, are you swimming against the stream? Kinda like Ferentz was for 5-6 years when he kept trying to incorporate cut blocks or other zone blocking schemes that were no longer as effective due to changes in the capital S System (i.e. rules, penalties, defensive schemes).
I'm not sure JanCo knows what to make of her team model in this evolving System. What parts of the "core personality" are truly unassailable or potentially vestigial? What sacrifices they are willing to make if the juice is worth the squeeze? What does team fit realistically look like in the new WBB?
Also, from my vantage point, the team looks to be subtly at odds with itself. What they say and what they do appear to oscillate between different courses of small contradictory actions. On top of it, it feels like those small contradictions aren't acknowledged by the staff, nor scrutinized by us on the outside. We bump up right against the boundary when talking about taking so many sophomores, the future at the 4, core personality and fit, who is getting invited on campus and then crickets.
All this to say I think it would be really hard not to operate this way in their position with the current landscape. How do you evaluate your system in order to determine which elements need to change (e.g. volume of transfers)?
So, we're back at the beginning, which doesn't help because of the circular nature of recruiting success and winning.
A fan would still be a fan no matter the names on the jerseys, IMHO
I agree with much of what you said, but I want a team, not just a bunch of different players every other year.
I want a core of good players as well, You feel you get to know them even though we really don’t. It’s very easy to cheer for players that come and stick with the process. But again the pressure is on to win and win a lot. Definitely a tough balancing act.
One of the main reasons I don’t follow many pro sports is because of all the roster changes. If this becomes too much like that I’ll still be a fan but I won’t be as passionate or feel as attached to Iowa teams like I once did.
It’s hard to feel the same connection to a team when the players I really care about are only here a year. I get that it’s a business and they need to make money while they can and we need to win, but the emotional side of being a fan takes a hit when the roster keeps changing. Hopefully we can continue to find success with the same core in the coming years.
It’s hard to feel the same connection to a team when the players I really care about are only here a year. I get that it’s a business and they need to make money while they can and we need to win, but the emotional side of being a fan takes a hit when the roster keeps changing. Hopefully we can continue to find success with the same core in the coming years.
The '26 class will have a lot to say about how the program operates. If she gets a few, then they just need additions to support these players, can build around a core of talent. If it's all misses, then you will probably see a change in tune.
Right now she has some senior starters that have been in the program their whole career, and I don't see Jensen looking to replace them in any way. Stuelke, Feuerbach, and McCabe are going to play big minutes next year regardless of any portal moves they make. The season after ('26-'27) will be the one that could present a notable shift.
But idk. Maybe someone comes in and can't be denied the court this coming season.
Right now she has some senior starters that have been in the program their whole career, and I don't see Jensen looking to replace them in any way. Stuelke, Feuerbach, and McCabe are going to play big minutes next year regardless of any portal moves they make. The season after ('26-'27) will be the one that could present a notable shift.
But idk. Maybe someone comes in and can't be denied the court this coming season.
This is a very interesting discussion….everyone’s fan experience is uniquely their own…mine is based on the culture of the program and the personality of the players and coaching staff…as I have mentioned before have no ties to the university nor the state of Iowa….I trust Coach J to find the correct balance between high school recruiting and the portal to keep me engaged as a rabid Iowa WBB fan…even with all the winning that Geno, Dawn and Kim have done with their programs I have never enjoyed those teams as much as I have the Hawkeyes…I have even found myself going back to find video clips of Hawkeye games prior to my first Hawkeye experience. I get the same feel good vibes from watching those teams that do watching the current versions… the joy our girls play with is incredible…with no disrespect for anyone else’s fandom…I ride or die with whoever Jan and Co. put together and cheer relentlessly for their success…I will be excited for recruiting and portal wins and I won’t dwell on the what ifs of the perceived misses…I am so glad I found the Iowa WBB program…I truly enjoy being David against the Goliaths of WBB…GO HAWKS!!!
Behind a paywall.. but guessing there’s some info on Rodriguez here.
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