Duke’s Women’s Basketball team reached the Elite 8 round of this year’s NCAA tournament, where they lost 54-50 to South Carolina. The Blue Devils finished the season with a 29-8 overall record, and like most other teams, they have started preparations for the new campaign.
Duke won the ACC Championship for the first time under head coach Kara Lawson, who has been there for five years. The Blue Devils also had one of the best defenses in the nation and held every NCAA Tournament opponent under 55 points. In its four March Madness games, Duke allowed 42.5 points per game.
Who’s In and Who’s Out at Duke?
The transfer portal opened last month, and there have been numerous exits and commitments across various programs in the nation. The portal cycle represents a time of uncertainty for many programs, as you never know which of your stars might wake up and decide to hit the portal.
Movements have been relatively quiet in the Blue Devils locker room. Lawson still has the core of her roster from the 2024-25 season. Barring any surprises, she should still have a solid squad ahead of the new season.
However, two players from the 2024-25 squad won’t be part of the roster ahead of the 2025-26 season. Reigan Richardson will not be returning as she’s out of college eligibility, while sophomore guard Oluchi Okananwa has entered the transfer portal.
Okananwa averaged 16.3 points per game in the conference tournament, shooting 75% from behind the arc. During the regular season, she recorded 10.1 and 5.3 rebounds points per game. She was named the ACC’s Sixth Player of the Year in her rookie season due to the energy and intensity she brought to the court.
“The rebounds and steals is something she always does,” Lawson said of Okananwa in December “You kind of can take it for granted because of her effort level. I don’t take it for granted”
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Lawson will look to fill the large gap left by her departure. She has two incoming guards: freshman Emilee Skinner and transfer Riley Nelson, who is coming back off a medical redshirt.
They may help fill the empty space, but the Duke backcourt is looking emptier than it has in a few years.
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