The NCAA transfer portal window was especially polarizing this year, with players unexpectedly swapping sides all over women’s basketball.
The 2025 NCAA transfer portal window has been marked by significant player movements, with high-profile commitments reshaping the landscape of women’s college basketball. Among the most notable moves are MiLaysia Fulwiley’s transfer from South Carolina to LSU women’s basketball, and the strategic additions made by both LSU and South Carolina women’s basketball to bolster their rosters.
1. MiLaysia Fulwiley, South Carolina to LSU
MiLaysia Fulwiley’s decision to transfer from South Carolina to LSU has been one of the most talked-about moves in the 2025 transfer portal. A dynamic guard known for her playmaking and athleticism, Fulwiley played a pivotal role in South Carolina’s 2024 SEC Tournament victory, earning MVP honors.
Despite her contributions, her development appeared to stagnate during her sophomore year under Coach Dawn Staley, leading to speculation about a potential transfer.
The return of Raven Johnson further complicated Fulwiley’s role within the team, which led her to enter the transfer portal with a “do not contact” tag. Fulwiley was rumored to only visit LSU, where she now joins returning stars like Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams, forming a formidable potential starting trio.
This move is significant not only because of Fulwiley’s talent but also due to the rivalry between LSU and South Carolina. Her decision to join LSU intensifies the competition between the two SEC powerhouses and adds an intriguing storyline to the upcoming season.
2. Ta’Niya Latson, Florida State & Madina Okot, Mississippi State to South Carolina
Dawn Staley acquiring Ta’Niya Latson as a response to Fulwiley’s transfer was a brilliantly experienced decision from the legendary head coach. Latson’s arrival certainly softens the blow of Fulwiley’s departure — as good as the Gamecocks have been under Staley, they have never had a backcourt scorer of Latson’s caliber.
During this past season’s runner-up finish, no Gamecock averaged more than 12.7 points per game. Now, Staley has a guard who averaged nearly twice that in Latson, whose 25.2 PPG led the nation in 2024-25. Her move from the Seminoles to the Gamecocks gives South Carolina a whole new look and altered the races in the ACC, SEC, and for the national championship.
3. Olivia Miles, Notre Dame to TCU
Not only did Miles turn down a chance to potentially join the Seattle Storm as the second pick, but she is also moving on from Notre Dame women’s basketball, who she helped to three Sweet 16 appearances, and Hannah Hidalgo, who she clearly hasn’t been on good terms with lately.
TCU head coach Mark Campbell needed to reconstruct his roster after losing most of his starters, and Miles is the biggest building block to a lineup that now also includes Marta Suarez, Clara Silva, and Taliyah Parker. Miles is still bouncing back from an ankle injury, but her first year back from an ACL tear resulted in a career-high average of 15.4 points as well as 5.8 assists per game, which ranked 15th in the country.
4. Serah Williams, Wisconsin to UConn
Williams transferring to UConn will have plenty of influence on next season’s top-five rankings. Williams leaves Madison as one of the best players in Badgers’ history.
She was a unanimous first-team All-Big Ten selection this season, averaging 16.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks, but Wisconsin finished 14th in the Big Ten. The Badgers never finished above 10th in league play in her three seasons.
5. Londynn Jones, UCLA to USC & Janiah Barker, UCLA to Tennessee
The Bruins lost their entire freshman class and two upperclassmen to the portal, which was brutal enough. But Jones’ choice was the biggest surprise and possibly the most damaging to the UCLA women’s basketball team’s hopes of making a return trip to the Final Four.
What sucks even more for the Bruins is the fact that Jones is going just down the street to their cross-town rival. Jones was the Bruins’ fourth-leading scorer at 11.8 points per game and their leader in 3-pointers made and attempted.
