2025-26 New school commitments by Transfers

[oldude]

That seems like a catch all people are throwing around all the time.

Are players really going to wherever they can get the most money, regardless of the situation? Maybe I'm being naive, but I have to hope there's a little more complexity to it than that.

Yes and no. Everyone’s situation is a little different. While nobody knows exactly what type of money is being thrown around at college athletes from one school to the next, clearly it’s become a major factor in the 1200+ wbb players that have entered the portal this season.

I think every player wants to earn PT and win championships and the very best players are looking at schools that will prepare them for a future in the W. At the same time, if you look at the top schools, they are very likely the schools in WBB that offer among the very best NIL/revenue sharing deals: UConn, SC, TX, UCLA, USC, LSU.

Then there is everyone else, schools that are fighting to compete with the Big girls. WBB is not like football where you need to raise several billion $ from alums to sustain a championship program. A couple million from deep pocketed alums gets you in the door.

Take the situation at OK & OK St. Aaliyah Chavez is all set to go to LSU when she and her “handlers” decide to go on a shopping spree. Ultimately, Kim Mulkey refuses to pay the price tag and Chavez ends up at OK for what is believed to be a 7-figure paycheck.

Along comes Audi Crooks. The roster at Iowa St disintegrates and she’s faced with a conundrum: stay, declare for the W or find a new school for her senior year. While Crooks lead all of D-1 WBB in scoring, she is projected to be a marginal pro at best. She is also a player that is limited on where she can transfer to those schools who are willing to build their offense around her unique skill set as a 1-year rental.

Crooks enters the portal and shops around. She ends up at OK St, a good program, but not a school that’s going to win a championship or substantially enhance her development for the W. So with Crooks, can her transfer be anything other than about money?

 

[triaddukefan]

I heard we may not be playing Maryland next year because of an issue with scheduling.

Playing them in Durham after #7 graduates takes all of the excitement and anticipation away. (For me)

OK. We do owe Duke a home game.

And Duke owes y'all a shell stomping. No offense to you.

 

[Dillon77]

Okay, Tennessee has added about 18 players from the portal now. Let somebody else have a few.

At this rate, what's the coach going to do: run three lines (hockey style)? Wow.

In all candor, I'm a bit amazed at how many "one and done" players think this is the way to go, with the 2026-27 season being critical for next-level consideration and visibility? Or if some of the earlier signees realized they were going to be sharing the bench -- and court -- with a lot more players than they realized at the time?

 

[Bone Dog]

Or if some of the earlier signees realized they were going to be sharing the bench -- and court -- with a lot more players than they realized at the time?

This could be a rude awakening.

 

[SoonrFan]

Yes and no. Everyone’s situation is a little different. While nobody knows exactly what type of money is being thrown around at college athletes from one school to the next, clearly it’s become a major factor in the 1200+ wbb players that have entered the portal this season.

I think every player wants to earn PT and win championships and the very best players are looking at schools that will prepare them for a future in the W. At the same time, if you look at the top schools, they are very likely the schools in WBB that offer among the very best NIL/revenue sharing deals: UConn, SC, TX, UCLA, USC, LSU.

Then there is everyone else, schools that are fighting to compete with the Big girls. WBB is not like football where you need to raise several billion $ from alums to sustain a championship program. A couple million from deep pocketed alums gets you in the door.

Take the situation at OK & OK St. Aaliyah Chavez is all set to go to LSU when she and her “handlers” decide to go on a shopping spree. Ultimately, Kim Mulkey refuses to pay the price tag and Chavez ends up at OK for what is believed to be a 7-figure paycheck.

Along comes Audi Crooks. The roster at Iowa St disintegrates and she’s faced with a conundrum: stay, declare for the W or find a new school for her senior year. While Crooks lead all of D-1 WBB in scoring, she is projected to be a marginal pro at best. She is also a player that is limited on where she can transfer to those schools who are willing to build their offense around her unique skill set as a 1-year rental.

Crooks enters the portal and shops around. She ends up at OK St, a good program, but not a school that’s going to win a championship or substantially enhance her development for the W. So with Crooks, can her transfer be anything other than about money?

I think we are in a situation where the top NIL teams get first choice and have the deepest rosters. It used to be about the coaching and facilities...not the case anymore. Until there is some type of guard rails put in, the divide with the top teams will only grow. Hypothetically, NIL GO should take away the big donors from buying players...but i don't know if the NCAA has any teeth to enforce it.

I'll push back on the OK & Ok State situation you mentioned. Chavez could have gotten more money from other schools (Texas, Texas Tech). Texas is not a fit for the style she wanted to play and Tech is not a proven winner at all. OU at least had back to back Big 12 championships and a 4th place finish in a stacked SEC. I don't think Mulkey wanted any part of dealing with Chavez and her Handlers. She gets to choose from 5 stars every year...just like TX, UCONN, UCLA, USC & SC. If you look at recruiting the past 2-3 years the pendulum is swinging even further in their favor, unfortunately.

I do not think Crooks had a lot of landing places. Her style does not fit all programs and thats why it was going to take a special suitor to get her. None of the Iowa State girls wanted to play with each other and Addy Brown was on several schools hit list...which narrowed her landing spot even more. Yes, the money worked out there, but i don't think there were many teams that wanted to adjust to her style of play for 1 year.

 

[oldude]

I think we are in a situation where the top NIL teams get first choice and have the deepest rosters. It used to be about the coaching and facilities...not the case anymore. Until there is some type of guard rails put in, the divide with the top teams will only grow. Hypothetically, NIL GO should take away the big donors from buying players...but i don't know if the NCAA has any teeth to enforce it.

I'll push back on the OK & Ok State situation you mentioned. Chavez could have gotten more money from other schools (Texas, Texas Tech). Texas is not a fit for the style she wanted to play and Tech is not a proven winner at all. OU at least had back to back Big 12 championships and a 4th place finish in a stacked SEC. I don't think Mulkey wanted any part of dealing with Chavez and her Handlers. She gets to choose from 5 stars every year...just like TX, UCONN, UCLA, USC & SC. If you look at recruiting the past 2-3 years the pendulum is swinging even further in their favor, unfortunately.

I do not think Crooks had a lot of landing places. Her style does not fit all programs and thats why it was going to take a special suitor to get her. None of the Iowa State girls wanted to play with each other and Addy Brown was on several schools hit list...which narrowed her landing spot even more. Yes, the money worked out there, but i don't think there were many teams that wanted to adjust to her style of play for 1 year.

While I agree that TX and perhaps TX Tech may have had a bigger overall payroll than OK, Chavez was always going to be a “one off” when it came to NIL. TX certainly wasn’t going to pay Chavez more than Booker or Harmon. I’m guessing that OK met her price.

 

[SoonrFan]

While I agree that TX and perhaps TX Tech may have had a bigger overall payroll than OK, Chavez was always going to be a “one off” when it came to NIL. TX certainly wasn’t going to pay Chavez more than Booker or Harmon. I’m guessing that OK met her price.

Now, how much money does OK st. have to play with? No proven history of winning, complete roster turnover the past few years and now they buy up these big names? That's a higher payroll than the schools mentioned above.

 

[oldude]

Now, how much money does OK st. have to play with? No proven history of winning, complete roster turnover the past few years and now they buy up these big names? That's a higher payroll than the schools mentioned above.

Lots of oil money around Stillwater. It just takes one wealthy alum to write a check. As you and I both pointed out, Crooks was limited in the number of programs she could go to, and I agree with you that OK St does not have a "proven history of winning." under those circumstances could Crooks decision be based on anything other than money?

 

[BigTenGuy]

Now, how much money does OK st. have to play with? . . .

Lots of oil money around Stillwater. It just takes one wealthy alum to write a check. . . .

Assume oldude is right about outside NIL money coming from wealthy donors, because internally, what OK St. spends on WBB is on the low end. Looking at fiscal year 2025 (ending 6/30/25), OK St. spent a total of $4,718,545 on WBB, which is less than every public Big Ten school spent on WBB in FY 2025. The 16 public Big Ten schools averaged spending $7.1 million on WBB, with 9 programs spending north of 7 million.

Also, OK St. reported paying Jacie Hoyt $761,115 in FY 2025, which is less than all 16 of the public Big Ten schools paid their head coaches. Barring a big salary bump for Hoyt, she will make less than 3 of her players next season (Crooks, McGill & Heard).

 

[Gamecockfan77]

I'm curious how many folks actually believe that Audi Crooks would be the third highest paid player in the WNBA at Okie State.

I'm agnostic on the point, which by definitions means I'm kind of skeptical I guess. .

 

[southie]

That seems like a catch all people are throwing around all the time.

Are players really going to wherever they can get the most money, regardless of the situation? Maybe I'm being naive, but I have to hope there's a little more complexity to it than that.

I haven't paid too much attention to the transfers Texas A&M has lost or gained. I think their best frontcourt player/rebounder announced her transfer to Tennessee. So, if A&M was pouring out the NIL, they would have been able to retain her.

Essence Cody from Alabama (a consistent NCAA tourney team the last few years) to A&M had me scratching my head. But, she's from Georgia originally, so maybe she has a past recruiting relationship with Joni Taylor. Still, why would she transfer to a program who has had not nearly the recent success Alabama has had? Well, she has one season of eligibility remaining, so, it makes sense if she wants to be a sure-fire starter where she can get a lot of playing time and potentially rack up some stats that will draw the eyes of pro (WNBA) scouts.

Not sure who else A&M got other than Boyd from Tennessee who didn't play all that much this past season I don't think.

 

[southie]

Yes and no. Everyone’s situation is a little different. While nobody knows exactly what type of money is being thrown around at college athletes from one school to the next, clearly it’s become a major factor in the 1200+ wbb players that have entered the portal this season.

Then there is everyone else, schools that are fighting to compete with the Big girls. WBB is not like football where you need to raise several billion $ from alums to sustain a championship program. A couple million from deep pocketed alums gets you in the door.

Take the situation at OK & OK St. Aaliyah Chavez is all set to go to LSU when she and her “handlers” decide to go on a shopping spree. Ultimately, Kim Mulkey refuses to pay the price tag and Chavez ends up at OK for what is believed to be a 7-figure paycheck.

Not sure it's accurate to say Chavez was ever all set to go to LSU. After she makes an unofficial visit to LSU the summer before her senior season, somebody (from LSU) leaks to Talia Goodman (I think) that Chavez has eliminated LSU and that her Dad was asking for $1 million NIL compensation. Think that's how that went down. My point is that her recruitment was still in the early stages at that time. If LSU didn't know her Dad was gonna want a huge payday, it's because they didn't ask those important questions earlier in the process. I think LSU (probably Gary Redus) did leak that to try and muddy the waters and hope her other schools under consideration would back away, as well, trying to drive Mr. Chavez's NIL asking price back down so they could get back in contention for her services. But, Texas and Oklahoma didn't let those "rumors" deter them from continuing to recruit her hard.

 

[southie]

Assume oldude is right about outside NIL money coming from wealthy donors, because internally, what OK St. spends on WBB is on the low end. Looking at fiscal year 2025 (ending 6/30/25), OK St. spent a total of $4,718,545 on WBB, which is less than every public Big Ten school spent on WBB in FY 2025. The 16 public Big Ten schools averaged spending $7.1 million on WBB, with 9 programs spending north of 7 million.

Also, OK St. reported paying Jacie Hoyt $761,115 in FY 2025, which is less than all 16 of the public Big Ten schools paid their head coaches. Barring a big salary bump for Hoyt, she will make less than 3 of her players next season (Crooks, McGill & Heard).

That was the case with Texas Tech softball and pitcher Nijaree Canady; her NIL was greater than the new head coach's salary for 2024-25. Probably a couple more players, as well, for 2025-26. In some twisted way, it's kind of like the head coach giving their superstar players part of their salaries so that the wins pile up and they keep their jobs (but the money isn't coming directly out of their pockets) 🤣

 

[southie]

I'll push back on the OK & Ok State situation you mentioned. Chavez could have gotten more money from other schools (Texas, Texas Tech). Texas is not a fit for the style she wanted to play and Tech is not a proven winner at all. OU at least had back to back Big 12 championships and a 4th place finish in a stacked SEC. I don't think Mulkey wanted any part of dealing with Chavez and her Handlers. She gets to choose from 5 stars every year...just like TX, UCONN, UCLA, USC & SC. If you look at recruiting the past 2-3 years the pendulum is swinging even further in their favor, unfortunately.

I'm not gonna say you're wrong because I have no way of proving it. So, I'll just share my perspective as a Texas fan based on what certain trusted moderators on Longhorns sports forums told their subscribers along with some of my own conclusions during Chavez's recruitment.

After Chavez and her high school team won their State championship in San Antonio on a Saturday in early March 2025, Chavez doesn't travel with her teammates back home to Lubbock, but instead travels with her family to Austin and attends Texas' home game against Florida the day after. She's wearing her championship medal around her neck and taking photos with lots of youngsters in attendance. Texas is feeling really good that they are going to gain her verbal commitment and eventual signature.

A week or two later, she travels to Norman for an unofficial visit. Think it was for the Sooners home NCAA sub-regional game(s). Texas sites begin reporting that Trae Young and his Dad who works for Jordan Brand have come up with a $1.5 million NIL deal for Chavez; Texas can't/won't match it.

In interviews Chavez gives after that visit to Norman, she starts saying that she wants to go to a school where the head coach let's her "play her game" and not try to change her offensive style. She'd never said that before. She said she wanted to play for a head coach who would be there all 4 years of her college career and that she liked to win; somehow she's been considering a Texas Tech program all that time despite what she says are two of her requirements that don't apply to Tech.

A couple Texas sites indicated all that "play her game" stuff was just bogus so she and her Dad would avoid answering questions about why would she choose an OU program that had only made one Sweet 16 the past 4 seasons when she had chances to play at programs like LSU, South Carolina, and Texas who had much more recent post-season success. Honestly, why would she have ever included LSU, South Carolina, and Texas as the head coaches at those schools would never let her "play her game" without adjustments and a team-first mentality? That justification was very transparent but it actually worked as far as the media was concerned.

If OU really did pay Chavez $1.5 million, not sure it was worth it as they didn't get any further with her this past season than the prior season without her (both Sweet 16 exits). I've posted before that I was really surprised OU wasn't more aggressive in the transfer portal one year ago knowing that Beers and Verhulst would be playing their final seasons and they were investing so much NIL in Chavez; maybe there was no NIL remaining for any impact transfers.

 

[BRS24]

 

[bballnut90]

Undergrad at Notre Dame + grad degree at UCLA = bright future for Bransford

 

[JstVisiting]

Undergrad at Notre Dame + grad degree at UCLA = bright future for Bransford

It’s kind of criminal that bright HS students are advised by people who are best qualified to work as HS guidance counselors.

‘State U has the strongest network in state!’ is technically true. But if 75% of those who want to be in state went there, the “network” is functionally non-existent.

 

[rubymae4]

It’s kind of criminal that bright HS students are advised by people who are best qualified to work as HS guidance counselors.

I have to push back on this comment as an educator who has worked in schools from public K-12 to public/private universities.

The vast majority of those who work in K-12 choose to work in K-12; they aren’t “only qualified” to work in K-12 because they couldn’t get “anything better”. It’s a harmful idea that damages views of K-12 education and those that work there.

If you wanted to, you could say that the knowledge base of a public HS guidance counselor has some limitations in terms of what they view as “best colleges/universities” based on their lack of experience working at a post-secondary level.

There’s lots more to say here, including the role of HS guidance counselors, the public/private bias, etc. I don’t want to derail the thread and get in a debate, but your comment was unfortunate to me.

 

[azfan]

Undergrad at Notre Dame + grad degree at UCLA = bright future for Bransford

One of the real positives of the changing landscape. For the right student athlete who may not have a long-term professional career these opportunities are extremely valuable.

 

[azfan]

Yes and no. Everyone’s situation is a little different. While nobody knows exactly what type of money is being thrown around at college athletes from one school to the next, clearly it’s become a major factor in the 1200+ wbb players that have entered the portal this season.

I think every player wants to earn PT and win championships and the very best players are looking at schools that will prepare them for a future in the W. At the same time, if you look at the top schools, they are very likely the schools in WBB that offer among the very best NIL/revenue sharing deals: UConn, SC, TX, UCLA, USC, LSU.



Crooks enters the portal and shops around. She ends up at OK St, a good program, but not a school that’s going to win a championship or substantially enhance her development for the W. So with Crooks, can her transfer be anything other than about money?

I's wonderful that Crook has an opportunity to monetize her talent in college given that a professional career is a low probability event.

As with most processes in society the change in the NCAA game as both pluses and minuses. I'm not certain yet in my mind whether the benefits outweigh the costs as we need some time to evaluate the sustainability and impact of this new system.

 

[triaddukefan]

Simmer down Vandy, simmer down

 

[visitingcock]

Not sure it's accurate to say Chavez was ever all set to go to LSU. After she makes an unofficial visit to LSU the summer before her senior season, somebody (from LSU) leaks to Talia Goodman (I think) that Chavez has eliminated LSU and that her Dad was asking for $1 million NIL compensation. Think that's how that went down. My point is that her recruitment was still in the early stages at that time. If LSU didn't know her Dad was gonna want a huge payday, it's because they didn't ask those important questions earlier in the process. I think LSU (probably Gary Redus) did leak that to try and muddy the waters and hope her other schools under consideration would back away, as well, trying to drive Mr. Chavez's NIL asking price back down so they could get back in contention for her services. But, Texas and Oklahoma didn't let those "rumors" deter them from continuing to recruit her hard.

She had LSU and South Carolina in her “ finalists” and announced she would visit them. When her dad revealed the price tag those two quit playing and she never visited either

 

[southie]

She had LSU and South Carolina in her “ finalists” and announced she would visit them. When her dad revealed the price tag those two quit playing and she never visited either

Do you know for sure her father revealed a price tag to her finalists? Or, maybe I should ask if you have confidence in where you first heard/read that. All I recall is that LSU leaked something to Talia Goodman (or was it someone else?) about that $1 million NIL price; reports I saw only came from the LSU side trying to be messy. Never read anything about South Carolina bowing out (because of that).

I looked up some timelines and this is what I saw:

- June 5: Chavez visits LSU unofficially

- July 23: Chavez trims her list to six -- OU, LSU, Texas, Texas Tech, UCLA, and South Carolina

- September 25: Reports that LSU had dropped out of the Chavez recruitment due to a reported $1 million NIL asking price

- October: Chavez visited Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech officially, maybe UCLA too

LSU WBB Recruiting: The Latest Buzz on the No. 1 Prospect in America Aaliyah Chavez

Kim Mulkey and the LSU women's basketball staff are in the midst of a pivotal recruiting stretch after hosting five of their top targets for official visits in

www.si.com

The Buzz: Aaliyah Chavez and her Recruitment​

Mulkey and the LSU staff are no longer recruiting the No. 1 prospect in America, Aaliyah Chavez, a source confirmed to LSU Tigers On SI. On3 Sports first reported.

Chavez, who's a gem of a prospect in the 2025 Recruiting Class, took an unofficial visit to LSU over the summer where the Tigers began gaining traction.

Now, LSU will take its foot off the gas in her recruitment with Chavez's camp requesting an NIL package surpassing the $1 million mark, a source tells LSU Tigers On SI.

 

[packwrap]

That was the case with Texas Tech softball and pitcher Nijaree Canady; her NIL was greater than the new head coach's salary for 2024-25.

This coach v player salary issue was the root cause of the revolution to get players paid in the first place. Fans watch and attend games to see the players, not the coaches!

Made no sense to watch 2 college teams play with $5 million coaches and unpaid players. This was low hanging fruit for the lawyers.

Pro sports leagues now normally have most players making more than the coach.

 

[JstVisiting]

I have to push back on this comment as an educator who has worked in schools from public K-12 to public/private universities.

The vast majority of those who work in K-12 choose to work in K-12; they aren’t “only qualified” to work in K-12 because they couldn’t get “anything better”. It’s a harmful idea that damages views of K-12 education and those that work there.

If you wanted to, you could say that the knowledge base of a public HS guidance counselor has some limitations in terms of what they view as “best colleges/universities” based on their lack of experience working at a post-secondary level.

There’s lots more to say here, including the role of HS guidance counselors, the public/private bias, etc. I don’t want to derail the thread and get in a debate, but your comment was unfortunate to me.

As an educator who has worked in schools from public/private K-12 to public/private universities and known many guidance counselors, it was a broad brush oversimplification (bc message board), but I stand by it.

 

[faninwisc]

I sure am glad that this thread is only about NEW SCHOOL COMMITMENTS BY TRANSFERS like the name of it says.

 

[southie]

I sure am glad that this thread is only about NEW SCHOOL COMMITMENTS BY TRANSFERS like the name of it says.

You can definitely add some new commitment news if you've read about any . . .