Longhorns Lose Guard to Transfer Portal as Offseason Reshaping Continues
The Texas Longhorns women’s basketball team is facing further roster adjustments as guard Laila Phelia has entered the NCAA transfer portal. The announcement, coming just before the deadline for portal entry without a coaching change, marks another significant departure for a Longhorns squad that reached the Final Four just weeks ago. Phelia’s decision adds to the offseason flux, raising questions about the team’s composition heading into the 2025-26 season under their new head coach, Sean Miller.
Phelia, a 6-foot senior guard, arrived in Austin as a transfer from the University of Michigan. After spending three seasons as a consistent starter for the Wolverines, where she amassed over 1,200 career points and earned All-Big Ten honors, her time with the Longhorns was unfortunately curtailed by injury. Eight games into the 2024-25 season, Phelia suffered a detached retina, a serious condition that sidelined her for the remainder of the year and required surgery. Despite this setback, there was an expectation that she would return to full strength and play a significant role for Texas in the upcoming season.
During her brief stint in a Texas uniform, Phelia showcased glimpses of her potential, averaging 6.1 points and 2.1 rebounds in just under 20 minutes per game. Her reputation preceded her arrival, as she was known for her three-point shooting prowess at Michigan, connecting on over 40% of her attempts in her sophomore year. This perimeter threat, coupled with her experience as a high-volume scorer in the Big Ten, made her a valuable prospect for the Longhorns. Head coach Vic Schaefer, upon her signing, lauded her as an “outstanding young lady who brings a veteran presence” and a “proven scorer” who would add offensive firepower and toughness to the team.
Phelia’s entry into the transfer portal comes as a surprise to many Texas fans, particularly given the anticipation surrounding her return from injury. With two years of eligibility remaining, she was expected to step into a more prominent role in the Longhorns’ backcourt. The departure of another guard, Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda, to the portal had seemingly opened up an opportunity for Phelia to potentially move into a starting position, leveraging her experience in a Power Four conference. Her ability to lead Michigan to an Elite Eight appearance during her freshman season further underscored her potential impact for Texas.
The timing of Phelia’s decision is also noteworthy. It coincided with the final hours for players to enter the transfer portal and maintain immediate eligibility for the following season without a coaching change at their current institution. This window, which opened at the conclusion of the NCAA Tournament, provides a crucial period for players to explore other opportunities.
Phelia becomes the fourth Longhorn to enter the transfer portal since the team’s Final Four run. She joins Mwenentanda, junior guard Jordana Codio, and sophomore center Abbie Boutlier in seeking new programs. This exodus of talent presents a significant challenge for Coach Miller as he looks to build upon the team’s recent success.
However, the Longhorns have also been active in the transfer portal, securing commitments from several players who could help fill the void left by these departures. Arizona transfer forward Breya Cunningham and Florida Atlantic transfer center Lovisa Asbrink Hose have already committed to Texas, adding size and versatility to the frontcourt. More recently, Texas secured a commitment from St. John’s transfer guard Simeon Wilcher. The 6-foot-4 sophomore, a former four-star recruit, averaged 8 points per game for the Red Storm and brings valuable experience from a team that reached the NCAA Tournament. Wilcher’s addition could provide immediate help in the Longhorns’ backcourt and is seen as a potential starter under Coach Miller.
The NCAA transfer portal has become an increasingly influential factor in college basketball roster management. It allows student-athletes to explore other programs with greater ease, and coaches are now navigating the complexities of both retaining current players and recruiting transfers to build competitive teams. The 30-day transfer window following the NCAA Tournament is a particularly active period, with significant player movement across the country.
For Texas, the offseason presents a period of transition. While the Final Four appearance marked a high point for the program, the subsequent departures necessitate a strategic approach to roster construction. Coach Miller’s success in securing transfer commitments indicates an active effort to address the team’s needs and maintain a high level of competitiveness. The addition of Wilcher, in particular, addresses the guard position and brings in a player with both talent and recent NCAA Tournament experience.
The departure of a player with Phelia’s experience and potential is undoubtedly a setback. Her ability to score and shoot from beyond the arc would have been valuable assets to the Longhorns. However, the nature of the transfer portal necessitates adaptability, and Coach Miller will need to integrate the new additions effectively while also relying on returning players to step up. Guards Bryanna Preston, Jordan Lee, and Rori Harmon are expected to return, providing some stability in the backcourt.
As Laila Phelia embarks on the next chapter of her collegiate career, the Texas Longhorns will continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of college basketball roster management. The transfer portal presents both challenges and opportunities, and the program’s ability to adapt and recruit effectively will be crucial in maintaining their position as a competitive force in the national landscape. The focus now shifts to how Coach Miller will integrate the new transfers with the returning players to forge a cohesive and successful team for the 2025-26 season. The Longhorn faithful will be watching closely to see how this reshaped roster takes form and performs on the court.
