The 2025 women’s college basketball transfer portal is loaded with forward talent capable of reshaping rosters instantly. While the portal launched in 2018, it wasn’t until 2020—when the NCAA Division I Council approved a blanket waiver allowing immediate eligibility for transfers—that it truly transformed the recruiting landscape.
Before then, transfers had to sit out a season. Now, some programs prioritize portal recruiting over high school signings. This year, the NCAA narrowed the portal window to March 24 through April 22, intensifying the urgency for coaches and fans tracking the top five forwards available.
Elite Forwards Lighting Up the 2025 Women’s Transfer Portal
Serah Williams
Standing at 6-foot-4, Williams enters the portal after a standout junior season, putting up 19.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.3 blocks per game. Named the 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, she’s a force in the paint and logged over 32 minutes per game. While her offense is mostly interior-focused, her shot-blocking and durability make her a top target for programs seeking immediate post impact.
Sa’Myah Smith
Smith battled back from an ACL tear just seven games into the 2023-24 season. She ended the year in strong form, posting back-to-back double-doubles in the NCAA Tournament—20 points and 12 boards against Florida State, followed by 21 and 11 against NC State. Averaging 6.6 points and 6.4 rebounds on the season, she also showed defensive discipline, with just 2.2 fouls per game. Smith’s trajectory suggests her best basketball is still ahead.
Janiah Barker
Barker averaged 7.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in just 18 minutes per game, coming off the bench for UCLA after transferring from Texas A&M. Though she didn’t crack the starting lineup, her athleticism and energy were felt immediately. Her skill set and experience should help her secure a larger role with another Power Five program.
Breya Cunningham
Cunningham, a 6-foot-4 sophomore, averaged 11.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game in under 23 minutes. Her major hurdle has been foul trouble—averaging nearly four per game and fouling out seven times. Even so, she earned All-Big 12 honorable mention honors and started 63 games in two years, offering big upside with improved discipline.
KEEP READING: The Top 5 Guards in the Women’s Basketball Transfer Portal You Need to Know About
Ashley Sofilkanich
Ranked No. 17 in the portal with a 93 grade, Ashley Sofilkanich was named Patriot League Player of the Year, posting 19.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3 assists. With her sister Taylor being a 4-star 2026 recruit, family could influence her next move.
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