2025 Transfer Portal

[Dillon77]

There is some truth to the idea that South Carolina is the only program that gets scolded for participating in the portal.

No player is guaranteed a starting spot merely by hanging around. Neither Fulwiley nor Tessa made much progress this year. If they had the portal approach might have been different.

Tough approach there, my fellow '77.
Here's a thought: could those two -- and others -- benefit from some more playing time and not feeling someone is constantly looking over your shoulder? Obviously, the overall proof pf Dawn's approach is in the pudding, but your comment just got me wondering.

Marina Mabrey is on record as saying that while ND basically only had 6 players in its run to the NC in 2018, that also was one of the advantages. Why? Muffet McGraw was known as a coach who would replace someone pronto if she saw a mistake or move she didn't like. Mabey, knowing there were no subs, therefore didn't have to sweat a turnover or silly foul. And Marina being Mabrey, told McGraw that, who took it into account....

 

[southie]

Speaking of Janiah Barker (2022), has she been the most disappointing of the top recruits in her class? Can no longer blame Joni Taylor for not developing her at Texas A&M as nothing changed for her at UCLA this past season other than not being a consistent starter and her scoring average dipping considerably.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Tough approach there, my fellow '77.
Here's a thought: could those two -- and others -- might've benefitted from some more playing time (and possibly not looking over your shoulder)? Obviously, the overall proof is in the pudding, but your comment just got me wondering.

Te-Hina Paopao (senior): 25 minutes; 9 ppg on 44% shooting (37% from three)
Raven Johnson (redshirt junior): 24 minutes; 5 ppg on 35% shooting (30% from three)
Bree Hall (senior): 24 minutes; 6 ppg on 38% shooting (38% from three)
Tessa Johnson (sophomore): 21 minutes; 8 ppg on 47% shooting (43% from three)
MiLaysia Fulwiley (sophomore): 19 minutes; 12 ppg on 43% shooting (26% from three)

What am I missing here? The two best defenders on the team (Raven and Bree) played about 60% of the game while the biggest returning shooting threat from 2023-24 (Pao) also played a little over 60% of the game. There are no 30 mpg players on this list. Everybody got a fair shake. The consistency in offensive production just was not there from this group.

I don't think that 3-5 additional minutes is the difference between what we saw from Tessa and Lay and Ta'Niya Latson-level skill. The narrative can't shift from "Dawn has no scorers lol" to "DAWN DIDN'T GIVE TESSA AND LAY A CHANCE!!!!! (angryface)" just because a superstar-level offensive talent is being brought into the fold. It's CDS's job to have the team in position to win SEC titles and national titles. It's the players' job to convince CDS that they're deserving of more minutes. They weren't able to do that. Whether they (the players) or the assistant coaches (player development) deserve the bulk of the blame is up for debate. But if I know that my NIL deals are contingent upon my presence on the court and subsequent performance on said court, I'm doing everything in my power to be the first player in the gym and the last player to leave. Had somebody done that instead of showing up "late" for practices, shootarounds, road trips, etc., then perhaps a Ta'Niya Latson wouldn't have been a necessity.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Speaking of Janiah Barker (2022), has she been the most disappointing of the top recruits in her class? Can no longer blame Joni Taylor for not developing her at Texas A&M as nothing changed for her at UCLA this past season other than not being a consistent starter and her scoring average dipping considerably.

Or perhaps Joni Taylor shouldn't have been blamed in the first place...

 

[TheFarmFan]

Speaking of Janiah Barker (2022), has she been the most disappointing of the top recruits in her class? Can no longer blame Joni Taylor for not developing her at Texas A&M as nothing changed for her at UCLA this past season other than not being a consistent starter and her scoring average dipping considerably.

I commented at length about this in another thread, but she is extremely undisciplined and has very poor decision making, rushing plays and taking poor shots. Per 40 minutes, she had the most fouls (by far), most turnovers, and was 7th in eFG %, which is saying something for a 6'2" forward. She's extremely talented and athletic and she just needs a Kim or Geno type coach to drill these really bad habits out of her. Cori was never going to be that coach.

 

[bayern7]

Two things:

1. Cheli and Azzi are not PG nor should you want them to be (throw Sarah in there too). If we're going be you're logic then there was no reason to bring in or play Chen and yet.................

2. Heckel would basically take Chen's role in the offense. She's a pretty good player (better defense than offense) so i could imagine why Geno would recruit her.

1. I’m not saying they’re point guards. I don’t think in UConns system we need to adhere to strict positional basketball anyways but still. My point is that in terms of what a point guards role is. All of those players I mentioned can take on aspects of that role in the offense wether that’s initiating the offense in the half court, ball handling, passing/setting up teammates, defensive assignments, etc. And I’m not saying we can’t take in a point guard from the portal I’m saying I think if we do it should be to maintain or improve our current abilities at that position and I don’t think Heckel does that for us, whereas I think Kaitlyn did. Very key distinction there, seems that you’re overlooking that on purpose.

2. I actually think you’re downplaying Kaitlyn’s role on this seasons team. Heckel cannot take or replace Kaitlyn’s role. She’s a sophomore who played a marginal role with decent numbers on a good team. She is not an all conference POY graduate transfer (one and done) like Chen who came in with a proven record of high performance against top rated teams out of conference, and already had a bit of UConn pedigree playing for a UConn alum in a similar offensive system. We will have two higher-ceiling true PG on the roster next season, why do we need to spend 3 scholarship years and a roster spot on a player who is not an improvement on what we’ll already have. Thats my point. I’m not saying Heckel is not good or wouldn’t contribute anything, I’m stating my observations at the margins.

 

[bayern7]

Heckel doesn’t need to replace Chen because KK Arnold is already here. And KK had better stats than Chen except for 3pt %age and FT%, but she’s a lockdown defender. I believe that Fudd, Chelli, and Shade all played PG before coming to Storrs. Ideally, I think UCONN needs another consistent 2 or 3 level wing scorer…not a guard that lacks height. Could be Quinonez, but who knows at this point. She sure has my attention! Could be a resurgence from Caroline. And I don’t know how Ice keeps falling out of these conversations. She shot over 50% from the field. And Allies numbers don’t look good, but her playing time was minimal and sporadic. She can shoot. Overall I think UCONN needs to get longer, more athletic and more mobile at the forward spot.

Couldn’t agree more, Heckel is not an answer to any of our needs/shortcomings next season.

 

[southie]

Or perhaps Joni Taylor shouldn't have been blamed in the first place...

Maybe. I get that a head coach can't always bring out the best in a player if said player doesn't have the required attitude to learn; but, some head coaches still can despite that.

 

[bballnut90]

Speaking of Janiah Barker (2022), has she been the most disappointing of the top recruits in her class? Can no longer blame Joni Taylor for not developing her at Texas A&M as nothing changed for her at UCLA this past season other than not being a consistent starter and her scoring average dipping considerably.

She’s been better than Ice Brady (#5 recruit) and Ayanna Patterson (#4 recruit, though lots of injuries for her). Others in the top 10 who haven’t made noise include #8 Aaliyah Gayles (gun shot victim), and #9 Maya Nnaji (quit basketball). FWIW, #6 recruit Timea Gardiner performed similarly to Barker this year.

But Barker definitely had more hype out of HS than all the players mentioned above. She looked unbelievable in the McDonald’s AA game and I thought had shades of Candace Parker to her game.

 

[ERWUC65]

Geno loves pg’s and Heckel has 3 years left to play. Why in the world would Geno prefer a “one year rental” over a kid with a big upside?

Because he is true to the players he recruited and have stayed with him and only uses the portal for 'special' situations. Example would be situation with KK and Kelis, especially the latter, who both committed to UConn early vs Heckel who signed with USC and now, when things didn't go her way, became a 'mercenary for play' in the transfer portal.

 

[GamecockFam]

Speaking of Janiah Barker (2022), has she been the most disappointing of the top recruits in her class? Can no longer blame Joni Taylor for not developing her at Texas A&M as nothing changed for her at UCLA this past season other than not being a consistent starter and her scoring average dipping considerably.

Generally speaking, I feel like the 2022 class wasn't appropriately ranked. I assume it had something to do with lack of proper evaluation from the Covid shutdowns during their junior and senior years of high school. Most of the top 10 has not performed at a top 10 level, whereas players like Flau'jae and Ta'Niya have over performed their ranking. It would be interesting to see someone re-rank the 2022 class once it is all said and done.

 

[Surly1]

Te-Hina Paopao (senior): 25 minutes; 9 ppg on 44% shooting (37% from three)
Raven Johnson (redshirt junior): 24 minutes; 5 ppg on 35% shooting (30% from three)
Bree Hall (senior): 24 minutes; 6 ppg on 38% shooting (38% from three)
Tessa Johnson (sophomore): 21 minutes; 8 ppg on 47% shooting (43% from three)
MiLaysia Fulwiley (sophomore): 19 minutes; 12 ppg on 43% shooting (26% from three)

What am I missing here? The two best defenders on the team (Raven and Bree) played about 60% of the game while the biggest returning shooting threat from 2023-24 (Pao) also played a little over 60% of the game. There are no 30 mpg players on this list. Everybody got a fair shake. The consistency in offensive production just was not there from this group.

I don't think that 3-5 additional minutes is the difference between what we saw from Tessa and Lay and Ta'Niya Latson-level skill. The narrative can't shift from "Dawn has no scorers lol" to "DAWN DIDN'T GIVE TESSA AND LAY A CHANCE!!!!! (angryface)" just because a superstar-level offensive talent is being brought into the fold. It's CDS's job to have the team in position to win SEC titles and national titles. It's the players' job to convince CDS that they're deserving of more minutes. They weren't able to do that. Whether they (the players) or the assistant coaches (player development) deserve the bulk of the blame is up for debate. But if I know that my NIL deals are contingent upon my presence on the court and subsequent performance on said court, I'm doing everything in my power to be the first player in the gym and the last player to leave. Had somebody done that instead of showing up "late" for practices, shootarounds, road trips, etc., then perhaps a Ta'Niya Latson wouldn't have been a necessity.

I have to agree with Dillon's take. At FSU, Latson had the run of the floor, knowing the offense ran through her. Does anyone not think Fulwiley is as talented as Latson? Put Fulwiley on another team and given free reign, she would easily put up Hannah Hidalgo numbers. I don't think there are many better shooters in the country than Tessa Johnson.

It takes a certain type of player who can readily excel coming off the bench. Who knows how SC's season would have turned out if Fulwiley and Johnson were starters, and/or received starter's minutes, never having to look over their shoulders after making a mistake.

 

[BannerTown]

She’s been better than Ice Brady (#5 recruit) and Ayanna Patterson (#4 recruit, though lots of injuries for her). Others in the top 10 who haven’t made noise include #8 Aaliyah Gayles (gun shot victim), and #9 Maya Nnaji (quit basketball). #6 recruit Timea Gardiner (performed similarly to Barker this year).

But Barker definitely had more hype out of HS than all the players mentioned above. She looked unbelievable in the McDonald’s AA game and I thought had shades of Candace Parker to her game.

To be fair, Ice Brady also missed her entire freshman season after dislocating her knee.

 

[oldude]

Because he is true to the players he recruited and have stayed with him and only uses the portal for 'special' situations. Example would be situation with KK and Kelis, especially the latter, who both committed to UConn early vs Heckel who signed with USC and now, when things didn't go her way, became a 'mercenary for play' in the transfer portal.

We heard the same thing last year when he brought in Kaitlyn. Geno also brought in Evina, TN’s pg, who had 2 years left to play, when he had both Nika & Paige as freshmen, with Azzi committed for the following year.

Bringing in Evina or Heckel does not mean Geno is somehow disloyal to the players he has recruited out of HS. It simply means that he sees an opportunity to improve the team by bringing in a player who will “complement” the players he already has.

Geno loves pg’s. There were times this year when he went with his small lineup when he had 4 HS pg’s on the court with Sarah: Paige, Kaitlyn, KK & Ash. With Paige and Kaitlyn moving on, there is certainly room for Geno to integrate another pg as talented as Heckel into his rotation.

 

[Dillon77]

Speaking of Janiah Barker (2022), has she been the most disappointing of the top recruits in her class? Can no longer blame Joni Taylor for not developing her at Texas A&M as nothing changed for her at UCLA this past season other than not being a consistent starter and her scoring average dipping considerably.

I'm not coming to her defense, particularly after @TheFarmFan 's post the other day.
However, I did note that along with the snafu's she had while in Bruin games, she also did this in 17 mpg: 7.4 ppg and 6.0 rbg.
Based on her A&M days (high of 12.3 ppg, 7 rpg), she was probably producing more offensively and certainly on the boards.

I've got no idea where she'll end up. If memory serves correctly, she's from Marietta, GA, and went to the Monteverde Academy. Will she look at returning to that neck of the woods? I'm sure FSU, Georgia Tech or Auburn would love to have her services for a year.

 

[Bone Dog]

We heard the same thing last year when he brought in Kaitlyn. Geno also brought in Evina, TN’s pg, who had 2 years left to play, when he had both Nika & Paige as freshmen, with Azzi committed for the following year.

2 questions

1. When did Geno bring in Evina? Was it really Paige’s freshman year?
2. Was Evina really Tennessee’s pg? I thought she was more of 2 guard there.

Evina is such an interesting case. She was a transfer but she turned out to be the ultimate team player. And that transfer cost her a year not playing. Did Geno understand how much she would give to the team when he accepted her transfer? I recall someone (Geno? CD?) describing how the freshmen (Paige Nika Aaliyah Mir Piath) would follow Momma E around as if she were a mother hen.

Evina came back for a second season even though she looked like a first round draft pick because she wanted to play with Paige. Events conspired against her as Paige went down to injury. But thank goodness Evina stayed, because she rescued a team that was floundering (against GT and UCLA) and kept things together until Paige could return. This is why she’s one of my favorite Huskies.

I think of Evina as being instrumental to Paige’s first final four run and the following year’s NC appearance. I only mention all this because she hardly fits the profile of a typical transfer these days, the way she gave her heart and soul to UConn for 3 years. By contrast, Kaitlyn more resembles Dorka and Lou. And all three of them still managed to fit themselves into the heart of the team culture. There must be something in the water up at Storrs.

If the question is whether Heckel could be a Husky for 3 years, I’m not confident. This early career transfer that appears from the outside to be motivated merely by PT or NIL is not encouraging. On the other hand, if Geno does talk to her, I’m sure he’ll press her to explain why it’s anything more than that.

I seem to recall him saying somewhere that the first thing he asks a kid in such situations is “What’s wrong with you?” in the sense of why couldn’t you make it work at your previous school? “What makes you think it will be any better here?”That’s where the conversation begins. If she says, “Because I didn’t like playing behind Juju,” he would probably ask her how she’ll like playing behind Azzi and KK and Ash.

 

[Jim]

Overall I think UCONN needs to get longer, more athletic and more mobile at the forward spot.

You just described Ayanna Patterson, who has largely been injured in each of her first two years at UConn.

 

[TheFarmFan]

I'm not coming to her defense, particularly after @TheFarmFan 's post the other day.
However, I did note that along with the snafu's she had while in Bruin games, she also did this in 17 mpg: 7.4 ppg and 6.0 rbg.
Based on her A&M days (high of 12.3 ppg, 7 rpg), she was probably producing more offensively and certainly on the boards.

I've got no idea where she'll end up. If memory serves correctly, she's from Marietta, GA, and went to the Monteverde Academy. Will she look at returning to that neck of the woods? I'm sure FSU, Georgia Tech or Auburn would love to have her services for a year.

To be sure, she can be really productive offensively and on the boards, but my observation in the games I saw was that once the ball was in her hands, it usually didn't leave them. And I just looked up to confirm: her usage was 25.7%, ahead of everyone but (barely) Lauren Betts (28.7%). Given how offensively productive her teammates were, and that she didn't even crack 20 mins a game, she should not have 1/4 usage on that team.

 

[Dillon77]

To be sure, she can be really productive offensively and on the boards, but my observation in the games I saw was that once the ball was in her hands, it usually didn't leave them. And I just looked up to confirm: her usage was 25.7%, ahead of everyone but (barely) Lauren Betts (28.7%). Given how offensively productive her teammates were, and that she didn't even crack 20 mins a game, she should not have 1/4 usage on that team.

Agreed.

 

[bballnut90]

Generally speaking, I feel like the 2022 class wasn't appropriately ranked. I assume it had something to do with lack of proper evaluation from the Covid shutdowns during their junior and senior years of high school. Most of the top 10 has not performed at a top 10 level, whereas players like Flau'jae and Ta'Niya have over performed their ranking. It would be interesting to see someone re-rank the 2022 class once it is all said and done.

I'll bite--though I'm probably missing a few players on here. If they had to re-rank and do a top 30 based on collegiate productivity, it'd probably be along the lines of:
1. Lauren Betts (original #1)
2. Ta'Niya Latson (#14)
3. Flau'jae Johnson (#26)
4. Raegan Beers (#10)
5. Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (#17)
6. Cotie McMahon (#23)
7. Kiki Rice (#2)
8. Serah Williams (NR)
9. Ashlyn Watkins (#12)
10. Kaylene Smikle (#64)
11. Talaysia Cooper (#18)
12. Grace Vanslooten (#13)
13. Tonie Morgan (#24)
14. Gabriela Jaquez (#19)
15. Yarden Garzon (NR, foreign)
16. Mara Braun (#28)
17. Ruby Whitehorn (#15)
18. Hannah Stuehlke (#45)
19. Kyla Oldacre (#25)
20. Timea Gardiner (#6)
21. Kara Dunn (#61)
22. Ashlon Jackson (#16)
23. Zee Spearman (#30)
24. Sa'Myah Smith (#58)
25. Kailyn Gilbert (#31)
26. Janiah Barker (#3)
27. Elle Ladine (#53)
28. Micah Gray (NR)
29. Chance Gray (#7)
30. Carleigh Wenzel (#44)

 

[GoCardinal]

Because he is true to the players he recruited and have stayed with him and only uses the portal for 'special' situations. Example would be situation with KK and Kelis, especially the latter, who both committed to UConn early vs Heckel who signed with USC and now, when things didn't go her way, became a 'mercenary for play' in the transfer portal.

Who said things didn’t go her way? She could simply be interested in transferring to UConn because she underestimated the value of being close to home. It’s not really fair to assume she’s running from USC because something didn’t go her way.

Heckel’s shooting could be better, but she still shot better from 3 than Arnold on similar volume. I think she’s also better at the midrange. She fits the mold of a Chen type player.

 

[ERWUC65]

Who said things didn’t go her way? She could simply be interested in transferring to UConn because she underestimated the value of being close to home. It’s not really fair to assume she’s running from USC because something didn’t go her way.

Heckel’s shooting could be better, but she still shot better from 3 than Arnold on similar volume. I think she’s also better at the midrange. She fits the mold of a Chen type player.

OK, let's dissect this. First, there is just speculation about her interest in UConn, or even less, UConn's interest in her. Second, Kaitlyn was a mature, experienced grad student in a system similar to UConn, and as such was able to fit in as an on-court leader able to work with and enhance the abilities of superstars like Paige. Next year it will be Azzi and others and I doubt that just any young inexperienced transfer (remember that JuJu ran the team) would do the same.

 

[Puppy Love]

Who said things didn’t go her way? She could simply be interested in transferring to UConn because she underestimated the value of being close to home. It’s not really fair to assume she’s running from USC because something didn’t go her way.

Heckel’s shooting could be better, but she still shot better from 3 than Arnold on similar volume. I think she’s also better at the midrange. She fits the mold of a Chen type player.

I’d rather have Iyana Moore.

 

[Stagnant]

If it is heckel, I would support the addition. We are moving from 5 ball handlers we really trust to 3 with the departures of Paige and Chen. Maybe fisher can be one right away? But maybe she can’t. And that is a tall ask of a freshman.

From heckel’s standpoint, it seems a little strange. Because she wouldn’t get like 30 mpg at UConn. But heckel is from New York and maybe she was home sick at usc. UConn would be a good option if she was looking to be back in the New York area.

Also, she doesn’t fit the mold of a typical target. Not a graduate student. I don’t think Geno likes taking a player that has been somewhere else for just a year and is already in the portal exiting the program. That is not his preference imo.

And Morgan valley. I am pretty sure she has followed heckel on IG for a long time.

 

[Vowelguy]

Because he is true to the players he recruited and have stayed with him and only uses the portal for 'special' situations. Example would be situation with KK and Kelis, especially the latter, who both committed to UConn early vs Heckel who signed with USC and now, when things didn't go her way, became a 'mercenary for play' in the transfer portal.

lol "mercenary for play", so that's what you're calling 1/4 of wcbb players?

 

[stormsurge]

University of Miami is my #2 favorite.

Thoughts on this transfer class coming in? (btw, I think UM has signed 3 top 90 recruits for next year too).

G - Gal Raviv (Quinnipiac) - 18/6/4 on 45/31/75 Conference POY and ROY

G - Amarachi Kimpson (UNLV) - 15/3/2 on 51/37/83 1st Team All Conference

G - Vittoria Blasigh (USF) - 10/3/2 on 44/37/76

C - Ra Shaya Kyle (UF) - 14/9/1 on 59/0/78

C - Jessica Peterson (SMU) - 10/12/2 on 46/0/55

 

[Geew1992]

Well.... this is interesting

 

[oldude]

2 questions

1. When did Geno bring in Evina? Was it really Paige’s freshman year?
2. Was Evina really Tennessee’s pg? I thought she was more of 2 guard there.

Evina is such an interesting case. She was a transfer but she turned out to be the ultimate team player. And that transfer cost her a year not playing. Did Geno understand how much she would give to the team when he accepted her transfer? I recall someone (Geno? CD?) describing how the freshmen (Paige Nika Aaliyah Mir Piath) would follow Momma E around as if she were a mother hen.

Evina came back for a second season even though she looked like a first round draft pick because she wanted to play with Paige. Events conspired against her as Paige went down to injury. But thank goodness Evina stayed, because she rescued a team that was floundering (against GT and UCLA) and kept things together until Paige could return. This is why she’s one of my favorite Huskies.

I think of Evina as being instrumental to Paige’s first final four run and the following year’s NC appearance. I only mention all this because she hardly fits the profile of a typical transfer these days, the way she gave her heart and soul to UConn for 3 years. By contrast, Kaitlyn more resembles Dorka and Lou. And all three of them still managed to fit themselves into the heart of the team culture. There must be something in the water up at Storrs.

If the question is whether Heckel could be a Husky for 3 years, I’m not confident. This early career transfer that appears from the outside to be motivated merely by PT or NIL is not encouraging. On the other hand, if Geno does talk to her, I’m sure he’ll press her to explain why it’s anything more than that.

I seem to recall him saying somewhere that the first thing he asks a kid in such situations is “What’s wrong with you?” in the sense of why couldn’t you make it work at your previous school? “What makes you think it will be any better here?”That’s where the conversation begins. If she says, “Because I didn’t like playing behind Juju,” he would probably ask her how she’ll like playing behind Azzi and KK and Ash.

You are correct on Evina. She was brought in as a redshirt, a year ahead of Paige & Nika’s freshman season.

 

[ERWUC65]

lol "mercenary for play", so that's what you're calling 1/4 of wcbb players?

Would you prefer 'student athletes'?

 

[mudcat]

Take a look at Indiana State's roster (I taught there for 4 years): they have 0 returning players on next year's roster as 11
players have entered the portal and the remaining players have no remaining eligibility. If I were the AD I would be taking a
good long look at whether I wanted to retain that coach.