The 2025 women’s college basketball transfer portal had a huge impact on the sport. Several top players who were expected to enter the WNBA Draft decided to stay in college and transfer to different schools instead. Many made this choice because of better NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals or to find a team that fits them better.
This wave of transfers shook up college basketball, making the portal an even more powerful tool. Teams that added these star players quickly became championship contenders, while others lost key players and had to rebuild. The changes also affected how coaches recruit and plan, and raised expectations from fans, showing just how much the portal is changing the game.
Women’s Basketball Transfer Portal Winners Through Week 3
South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina made a huge move by adding Ta’Niya Latson, a junior guard from Florida State who led the nation in scoring last season with 25.2 points per game. Known for her strong shooting (46% from three) and defense (2.2 steals per game), Latson brings a major boost to South Carolina’s backcourt. This is especially important because no player on the team averaged more than 12.7 points last season.
Breaking: Ta’Niya Latson, the leading scorer in D-I last season, is transferring to South Carolina, she announced on social media. pic.twitter.com/g4M1Yqvsyj
— ESPN (@espn) April 8, 2025
Her arrival instantly makes South Carolina a serious contender for the 2026 national title. Although the surprise loss of MiLaysia Fulwiley, who averaged 11.7 points and earned All-SEC honors, softens the impact a bit, landing the top player in the transfer portal still gives South Carolina a big advantage and puts them in the spotlight early in the season.
TCU Horned Frogs
TCU made a major move by landing All-American guard Olivia Miles from Notre Dame, who averaged 15.4 points, 5.8 assists, and 5.6 rebounds.
Choosing to transfer instead of entering the WNBA Draft, Miles gives TCU an elite playmaker. With help from transfers Marta Suarez (Cal) and Kennedy Basham (Oregon), TCU adds depth and becomes a strong national title contender even after losing Hailey Van Lith to the WNBA.
Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss came out strong in the transfer portal, landing four key players to boost its roster. Headlined by Cotie McMahon (19.2 PPG, 9.8 RPG) from Ohio State and Latasha Lattimore (14.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG) from Virginia, the Rebels added serious frontcourt talent.
Kaitlin Peterson, who scored 21.4 PPG at UCF, brings scoring power in the backcourt, while Jayla Murray adds depth. After a Sweet 16 run, these transfers make Ole Miss a top SEC contender and a team built for another deep tournament push.
Maryland Terrapins
Maryland made key moves in the transfer portal by adding Yarden Garzon from Indiana and Gracie Merkle from Penn State. Garzon, a sharp-shooting guard with 14.4 points per game and a school-record 220 threes, brings much-needed scoring and playmaking.
Merkle adds size and strength inside with 15.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. These additions help replace major losses and give Maryland the balance it needs to compete in the Big Ten and make a strong push for the NCAA Tournament.
