LSU Women’s Basketball Starter Reveals Transfer Portal Destination to Big 12 Program
The ever-evolving landscape of college athletics saw another significant shift as LSU women’s basketball lost a key starter to the transfer portal—one who will now take her talents to the Big 12. The move, confirmed by the player herself via social media, sent waves across both the SEC and Big 12 as another major piece of Kim Mulkey’s rotation departs Baton Rouge for new challenges, fresh opportunities, and a different kind of spotlight.
The transfer comes amid an offseason already full of questions for LSU following the team’s early exit in the NCAA Tournament and the departure of several other players to the portal and the WNBA Draft. This latest development adds another layer of intrigue to how Mulkey’s squad will rebuild and respond in the 2025–26 season. It also gives the Big 12 a powerful piece, as one of the SEC’s proven contributors switches conferences.
For LSU, the loss stings—not only from a production standpoint but from a chemistry and experience perspective as well. The player in question had become a reliable presence on both ends of the floor and was a known leader in the locker room. While not always the loudest voice on the team, her consistency and poise during tense moments became invaluable for a squad that frequently found itself in high-stakes games on the national stage.
This wasn’t just any role player or bench contributor. The departing Tiger started in most games last season, was often tasked with guarding opposing stars, and had several signature performances in conference play that helped keep LSU in the SEC title race. She averaged double figures in scoring while contributing as a rebounder and secondary playmaker, all while embracing her defensive responsibilities. She wasn’t the face of the program, but she certainly shaped the identity of the team.
Now, she’ll wear different colors. Her decision to transfer to a Big 12 school came after weeks of speculation and conversations with coaches across the country. Ultimately, she cited “a new challenge and a chance to grow” as her primary motivators, noting that the decision wasn’t made lightly. She thanked LSU fans for their unwavering support, calling Baton Rouge “a place that made me better in every way.” Her post included a heartfelt thank you to Coach Mulkey and her teammates, even as she made it clear that the time had come for a new chapter.
Her landing spot—a rising Big 12 program that has made serious noise in recent seasons—adds another layer to her story. This team, already stacked with young talent and guided by a sharp coaching staff, gains a player who knows what it takes to compete at the highest level. She’s battle-tested, accustomed to the spotlight, and used to the kind of pressure that comes with playing for championships. In other words, she’s exactly what her new team needed.
For the Big 12 program, this is a major win. Adding a player with SEC and NCAA Tournament experience instantly boosts their roster and gives them someone who won’t be fazed by big moments. She’ll be expected to bring leadership to a youthful group, as well as production on the court. Based on her career trajectory, there’s every reason to believe she will do both.
The move also signals how much the transfer portal has changed women’s college basketball. A decade ago, such a high-profile switch might have raised eyebrows or seemed unusual. Now, it’s part of the fabric of the game. Players are more empowered than ever to find the right fit, and coaches are tasked with not just recruiting high school stars but re-recruiting their current rosters year after year. Roster continuity is harder to come by, but the upside is immense: programs can reload quickly, and players can make career-altering decisions in ways that benefit them.
LSU’s loss is the Big 12’s gain—and potentially a preview of a broader shift in women’s college hoops power dynamics. As traditional powers like South Carolina, LSU, and UConn continue to dominate headlines, schools in the Big 12 are quietly assembling impressive rosters, often by way of the portal. This particular addition could be the piece that helps elevate the program from contender to legitimate title threat.
Still, the questions now return to LSU. What does this mean for the Tigers moving forward? How will Kim Mulkey respond? Known for her tenacity, strategic mind, and no-nonsense approach to coaching, Mulkey has rebuilt rosters before and has the credentials to do it again. But there’s no denying that the transfer portal has hit LSU hard this offseason.
After losing not only this starter but also several other contributors and leaders—including the departure of All-American Angel Reese to the WNBA—the Tigers are facing one of the most significant roster turnovers of Mulkey’s tenure. The team will still boast talent, of course, and the potential to attract elite transfers is always there. But chemistry, cohesion, and leadership will need to be rebuilt from the ground up.
It’s also a test of culture. One of Mulkey’s greatest strengths is her ability to establish a clear identity and demand buy-in from her players. With a new-look roster and fresh faces likely to take on expanded roles, this upcoming season could be one of her most challenging yet. But for a coach with multiple national titles and a proven ability to win under pressure, it also represents an opportunity to remind the nation of LSU’s staying power.
Meanwhile, for the player making the jump to the Big 12, the move is about more than basketball. It’s a chance to step into a new environment, be closer to family, explore different academic opportunities, and possibly take on a bigger role on the court. Several Big 12 programs are investing heavily in women’s basketball, both in terms of facilities and exposure. With more televised games, NIL opportunities, and conference parity, it’s no surprise to see high-level players making the switch.
And she’ll be joining a league that has become increasingly competitive. With Texas and Oklahoma leaving, and teams like Baylor, Kansas State, and Iowa State pushing forward, there’s room for a new power to emerge. The program she chose could very well be that team—especially with her now in the fold. Expect her to be a day-one starter, if not the centerpiece of her new team’s offensive and defensive strategies.
Her impact won’t just be felt on the court, though. Her maturity, work ethic, and experience bring a level of professionalism that younger players can learn from. Coaches often talk about the value of “culture-setters”—players who lead by example and raise the standard in practice. That’s the kind of influence she’s expected to bring.
As the dust settles on this portal move, it’s clear that both programs will feel its effects. LSU will regroup, as it always does, and the player will embrace her new surroundings in the Big 12. Her departure serves as a reminder of the ever-changing nature of college sports, where movement is frequent, and legacies can be written in more than one uniform.
The beauty of this transition lies in its duality: it’s an end and a beginning. One chapter closes at LSU—a chapter marked by growth, competition, and plenty of memorable moments. And a new chapter opens in the Big 12, where expectations will be high, but the opportunity to shine even brighter is very real.
For LSU fans, it’s bittersweet. Losing a fan favorite is never easy, especially one who represented the program with class and effort every night. But the legacy she leaves behind in Baton Rouge is one of resilience, professionalism, and fierce competitiveness. And for her new fan base? Buckle up—because you just landed a baller with a winning pedigree and a chip on her shoulder.
College basketball keeps evolving, and with each twist and turn of the transfer portal, stories like this one remind us why the game remains as compelling as ever.
