On Tuesday, On3, in collaboration with Bella Hines, announced that the LSU Tigers freshman has decided to leave Coach Kim Mulkey‘s team and enter the 2026 offseason transfer portal.
This comes after Hines and the Louisiana-based program were eliminated in the Sweet 16 of the national tournament by Coach Kara Lawson’s Duke Blue Devils. Playing in 33 games for LSU and not starting in any of them, Hines was a four-star recruit among all prospects from the 2025 class of high school players.
Let’s now look at five of her top possible landing spots for the 2026-27 season.
Top 5 Landing Spots for Bella Hines
#5 Vanderbilt Commodores
The Vanderbilt Commodores are led by scorer Mikayla Blakes, but coach Shea Ralph’s program is visibly lacking in other areas to get over the hump of powerhouse teams. With their Sweet 16 exit in this year’s March Madness, they can look to fortify their backcourt with Bella Hines, who has yet to showcase her true potential in college.
#4 UConn Huskies
Coach Geno Auriemma’s UConn Huskies were unable to defend their title after their undefeated run up to the NCAA Final Four. A few names are leaving their program due to graduation, with the most prominent being senior Azzi Fudd. With this, Bella Hines can transfer to the Huskies as a rotation piece.
#3 Texas Longhorns
Another one of the LSU Tigers’ direct rivals in the SEC is coach Vic Schaefer’s Texas Longhorns. With perimeter standout Rori Harmon exhausting her college basketball eligibility, Hines can opt to transfer to coach Schaefer’s program and have the chance to be their backcourt cornerstone for the future.
#2 UCLA Bruins
The UCLA Bruins are fresh off their first-ever national championship in the 2025-26 season. But, Coach Cori Close will have to retool immensely, as most of her key players are seniors and will more than likely declare for this year’s WNBA Draft. Hines can join the Los Angeles-based program as one of the new key cogs for another potential NCAA title run.
#1 South Carolina Gamecocks
Bella Hines can pull off the most interesting move if she decides to transfer to Coach Dawn Staley‘s South Carolina Gamecocks. This is because the Gamecocks have been the Tigers’ archrivals in the last decade, and former South Carolina star MiLaysia Fulwiley transferred to LSU this past season. With Raven Johnson leaving the team, Hines can find a role immediately with the rival program.
Read More: After MiLaysia Fulwiley, Mikaylah Williams’ Major Transfer Portal News, Kim Mulkey Makes Her Feelings on LSU Stars
Also Read: LSU Faces Transfer Portal Pressure as Kim Mulkey Details Urgent Roster Decisions
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