As rosters continue to take shape for the 2025-26 college basketball season, clear-cut winners and losers have emerged from this portal cycle.
In an offseason loaded with NIL-related controversy, recruiting the transfer portal has become tougher than ever. Hoops HQ has partnered with The Portal Report, which has a data-based algorithm to rank every transfer class in the country. In the coming weeks, we will be ranking the men’s and women’s classes from each of the five major conferences. Today, we take a look at the Big Ten women’s classes.
1. Purdue
Incoming transfers: Tara Daye, 5-foot-10 redshirt junior guard (St. John’s); Taylor Feldman, 5-foot-8 senior guard (Northern Arizona); Taylor Henderson, 5-foot-11 junior wing (UNC Wilmington); Kiki Smith, 5-foot-7 junior guard (Arkansas); Nya Smith, 5-foot-9 sophomore guard (UNC Greensboro); Saige Stahl, 6-foot-1 junior forward (Indiana State).
The skinny: Purdue may have finished in the bottom four of the Big Ten in 2024-25, but coach Katie Gearlds is bringing in the conference’s top transfer class. Feldman, Henderson and Nya Smith were mid-major stars and double-digit contributors at past stops. Feldman was a first-team All-Big Sky selection this past season, while Henderson was the SoCon’s Rookie of the Year. Kiki Smith, the 2024 NJCAA DI Women’s Player of the Year, will bring invaluable high-major experience after a breakout season at Arkansas. Daye is a well-rounded veteran after three seasons in the Big East with St. John’s. Expect Stahl to have a significant interior impact coming off a season in which she averaged 7.4 points and 7.2 rebounds.
2. Wisconsin
Incoming transfers: Shay Bollin, 6-foot-3 graduate senior forward (Illinois); Kyrah Daniels, 6-foot junior wing (Missouri State); Destiny Howell, 6-foot graduate senior wing (Howard); Gift Uchenna Okeke, 6-foot-3 senior forward (Southern Illinois); Laci Steele, 5-foot-11 junior wing (NC State); Breauna Ware, 5-foot-7 redshirt junior guard (Stony Brook).
The skinny: Wisconsin didn’t fare much better than Purdue in 2024-25, but will look to rebound with a transfer class that has the potential to help the Badgers possess one of the top offenses in the Big Ten. Uchenna Okeke was a two-way machine in the frontcourt for Southern Illinois, averaging 14.5 points, 12.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. Ware flourished at Stony Brook this past season, contributing 14.7 points per game and leading the Seawolves in three-point shooting at 35 percent. Howell was a three-time All-MEAC selection, the conference player of the year in 2022-23 and looks ready for a high-major opportunity. Daniels was key in lifting Missouri State to an MVC regular-season championship in 2024-25, averaging 12.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists. If Bollin and Steele can prove effective high-major contributors, the Badgers will have several new offensive weapons and depth as well.
3. Rutgers
Incoming transfers: Faith Blackstone, 6-foot graduate senior guard (Stephen F. Austin); Kaylah Ivey, 5-foot-8 graduate senior guard (Boston College); Imani Lester, 6-foot-3 junior forward (Kansas State); Nene Ndiaye, 6-foot-1 junior forward (Boston College); Yacine N’Diaye, 6-foot-4 junior forward (UNC Greensboro); Lauryn Swann, 5-foot-7 sophomore guard (Arizona).
The skinny: Despite losing star freshman Kiyomi McMiller in the portal, this offseason still can be viewed as a success for Rutgers. McMiller’s production will be difficult to replace, but Blackstone is a great start. She started her career at Syracuse, but really emerged with Stephen F. Austin this past season. Swann was a Big 12 All-Freshman selection in 2024-25, averaging 8.0 points per game on 39 percent shooting from three. Expect her to see an increase in minutes with the Scarlet Knight. The Boston College duo and Lester transfer in from high majors in search of additional playing time. Lastly, N’Diaye brings size and gives Rutgers possibly the biggest frontcourt rotation in the conference to pair with its strong backcourt talent.
4. Michigan State
Incoming transfers: Jalyn Brown, 6-foot-1 senior wing (Arizona State); Marah Dykstra, 6-foot-2 senior forward (Montana State); Rashunda Jones, 5-foot-8 junior guard (Purdue).
The skinny: In addition to maintaining a core of the group that helped carry Michigan State to a fifth-place finish in the Big Ten, the Spartans added a trio of scorers. Joining former Big Ten Sixth Woman of the Year Theryn Hallock in the backcourt will be Jones, who brings Big Ten experience. As the primary ballhandler for the Boilermakers, she averaged 9.8 points and 3.7 assists per game. Dykstra is a two-time All-Big Sky selection and will pair well in the frontcourt alongside Spartans leading scorer Grace VanSlooten. But it’s Brown who has the potential to be the most impactful transfer for coach Robyn Fralick after a season in which she finished in the top 50 nationally in scoring at 18.0 points per game.
5. USC
Incoming transfers: Kara Dunn, 5-foot-11 senior guard (Georgia Tech); Londynn Jones, 5-foot-4 senior guard (UCLA); Dayana Mendes, 6-foot-3 sophomore forward (Washington State); Yakiya Milton, 6-foot-5 junior forward (Auburn).
The skinny: National Player of the Year JuJu Watkins is back for another season, and with her returning, USC is the favorite to repeat as regular-season champions. But two star seniors departed for the WNBA Draft, which left coach Lindsay Gottlieb to venture into the portal in search of veteran talent. Dunn, a two-time All-ACC selection, will help to replace some of that lost production; she was the Yellow Jackets’ leading scorer at 15.5 points per game. Jones and Mendes have shown flashes with successful programs and can be solid role players. And though Milton has yet to find her footing at the high-major level, her size and versatility can help fill a void left by the loss of Kiki Iriafen (6-foot-3) and Rayah Marshall (6-foot-4).
6. Oregon
Incoming transfers: Avary Cain, 6-foot-1 sophomore wing (UCLA); Mia Jacobs, 6-foot-2 senior forward (Fresno State); Astera Tuhina, 5-foot-9 senior guard (Washington State).
The skinny: With Oregon losing four key contributors, it was important that coach Kelly Graves be active in the portal to help rebuild this rotation. In Jacobs, the Ducks have their next star. She averaged a double-double this past season (18.3 points and 10.0 rebounds), finishing in the top 45 nationally in scoring, rebounding and double-doubles. Meanwhile, Tuhina did it all in the backcourt for Washington State: 7.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. Cain, a former five-star recruit, needs to prove she’s a capable high-major contributor.
7. Maryland
Incoming transfers: Yarden Garzon, 6-foot-3 senior wing (Indiana); Oluchi Okananwa, 5-foot-10 junior guard (Duke).
The skinny: Following another good season under legendary coach Brenda Frese, Maryland was able to hold onto leading scorer Kaylene Smikle and build from there. The Terrapins will look for returnees down the depth chart to step up, but the two portal additions figure to be relied upon heavily. Garzon is proven at this level and averaged 14.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists and was a second-team All-Big Ten selection. Okananwa racked up awards in her two seasons at Duke: She was picked to the ACC All-Freshman Team, won ACC Sixth Woman of the Year and was selected to the 2025 ACC All-Tournament team. It’s a small transfer class, and both need to produce to help maintain the program’s level of success.
8. Michigan
Incoming transfers: Kendall Dudley, 6-foot-2 sophomore forward (UCLA); Ashley Sofilkanich, 6-foot-3 junior forward (Bucknell).
The skinny: With two of the nation’s best freshmen returning in Olivia Olson and Syla Swords, coach Kim Barnes Arico added a top-10 talent from the portal. Sofilkanich dominated on both ends in the Patriot League this past season; she averaged 19.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks, and was the league player of the year. She led the conference in scoring and blocked shots, and finished in the top 30 nationally in scoring. Sofilkanich also was ranked as the No. 10 player in the portal by TPR. The transition from the Patriot League to the Big Ten undoubtedly is a significant one, but Sofilkanich should have no problems given her talent. Dudley is a former five-star recruit, and if the Wolverines can unlock her talent, she’ll be an impactful addition in the frontcourt.
9. UCLA
Incoming transfers: Gianna Kneepkens, 6-foot graduate senior guard (Utah).
The skinny: UCLA lost a handful of valuable pieces to the portal, but they will be offset by the addition of Kneepkens, TPR’s top-ranked transfer. She was a first-team All-Big 12 selection who averaged 19.3 points per game and shot 50 percent from the field and 45 percent from three-point range. She joins a Bruins roster that already boasts star center Lauren Betts and guard Kiki Rice.
10. Nebraska
Incoming transfers: Emily Fisher, 6-foot junior wing (Maryland); Claire Johnson, 5-foot-9 sophomore guard (Samford); Eliza Maupin, 6-foot-3 senior forward (Kansas State); Hailey Weaver, 6-foot redshirt senior guard (Northwestern).
The skinny: Nebraska managed 21 wins and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2024-25, but with Alexis Markowski out of eligibility, the Huskers need several returnees to step up. If coach Amy Williams can get continued development and production from the likes of Britt Prince, Natalie Potts and Logan Nissley, the transfers can be key role players. Johnson is the strongest addition; she was a second-team All-SoCon pick as a freshman. Fisher and Maupin bring high-major experience, but will be expected to improve with an increase in minutes. Weaver joins Nebraska after a year off from basketball and is an experienced veteran and a versatile offensive piece.
11. Penn State
Incoming transfers: Amiya Evans, 6-foot-2 senior forward (Georgia); Kiyomi McMiller, 5-foot-8 sophomore guard (Rutgers).
The skinny: Penn State finished last in the Big Ten in 2024-25 and lost some talent to the portal, but the additions of McMiller and Evans mean the roster is shaping up to be vastly improved. Gracie Merkle and Moriah Murray return and will be joined by McMiller, who had a standout freshman season for Rutgers. She averaged 18.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in 21 games. Evans is a former highly touted four-star prospect who will look to finally meet the lofty expectations set for her when she signed with Georgia.
12. Illinois
Incoming transfers: Aaliyah Guyton, 5-foot-7 sophomore guard (Iowa); Gisela Segura, 5-foot-11 graduate senior wing (Long Island); Maddie Webber, 5-foot-11 junior guard (Villanova).
The skinny: Illinois lost its top three scorers, but with a highly regarded freshman class, coach Shauna Green didn’t need to invest heavily in the portal. Webber is the standout from this transfer class; she averaged a career-high 13.3 points and was a second-team All-Big East selection. She led Villanova to the semifinals of the 2025 WBIT and is ready for a big role with a more consistent high-major program. Segura brings some versatility on the offensive end and should be a respected veteran presence in a youthful locker room. Guyton will look to find her footing after stumbling at Iowa.
13. Iowa
Incoming transfers: Emely Rodriguez, 6-foot sophomore wing (UCF); Chazadi Wright, 5-foot-4 sophomore guard (Georgia Tech).
The skinny: Though leading scorer Lucy Olsen graduated, there’s a solid returning core that led coach Jan Jensen to opt for youth from the portal. But that doesn’t mean this duo can’t have a major impact for the Hawkeyes. Rodriguez was selected to the Big 12 All-Freshman team after averaging 11.9 points and 5.3 rebounds. Wright started 12 games and played in 33 for an NCAA Tournament team, averaging 7.2 points and 2.6 assists. It’ll be a battle for the duo to secure consistent starter minutes, but they can help the Hawkeyes achieve another 20-win season.
14. Minnesota
Incoming transfers: Tracey Bershers, 6-foot-2 graduate senior forward (UAB); Brylee Glenn, 5-foot-10 graduate senior guard (Kansas State); Finau Tonga, 6-foot-2 graduate senior forward (San Jose State).
The skinny: Minnesota kept all three double-digit scorers from this past season and did a good job of adding to a solid core. Tonga looks the part of a serviceable Big Ten forward after averaging 8.7 points and 5.2 rebounds this past season. Breshers likely will join her in the frontcourt rotation, but don’t discount her offensive profile as a 6-foot-2 forward who shot 43 percent from deep on 129 attempts in 2024-25. Glenn was competitive in her first two seasons at Kansas State. but a decline in minutes this past season saw her production decrease. Give her additional playing time and she’s a proven high-major guard, a known two-way talent and, now, an experienced veteran in Minnesota’s backcourt.
15. Washington
Incoming transfers: Yulia Grabovskaia, 6-foot-5 senior center (Michigan); Avery Howell, 6-foot sophomore guard (USC).
The skinny: Despite the return of Elle Ladine and Sayvia Sellers, the loss of 6-foot-4 senior forward Dalayah Daniels to the WNBA is a big one. To try to help replace her, the Huskies added Grabovskaia. A native of Russia, she’s steadily improved since arriving in the United States in 2023 and averaged 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game this past season. Howell, on the other hand, brings notable expectations as a former top-25 prospect. Though she didn’t quite meet those expectations as a freshman, the move to Washington offers her the opportunity to carve out a role with more consistent playing time.
16. Indiana
Incoming transfers: Jerni Kiaku, 5-foot-7 senior guard (Duquesne); Zania Socka-Nguemen, 6-foot-3 sophomore forward (UCLA); Chloe Spreen, 5-foot-10 sophomore guard (Alabama); Phoenix Stotjin, 5-foot-8 sophomore guard (Arkansas); Edessa Noyan, 6-foot-3 junior forward (Virginia).
The skinny: Indiana lost leading scorer Yarden Garzon to Maryland and didn’t do much to recoup that lost production. Kiaku averaged 13.2 points per game this past season, is a former MEAC Rookie of the Year and should slot into the starting lineup. Stotjin was productive in stretches for Arkansas and should continue to develop as a sophomore. Socks-Ngueman and Spreen struggled to get consistent playing time as freshmen even though both were top-50 prospects. Similarly, Noyan hasn’t been able to find her footing after two seasons in the high-major ranks and starting 23 games for Virginia this past season.
17. Northwestern
Incoming transfers: DaiJa Turner, 6-foot-3 redshirt senior forward (TCU); Tate Walters, 5-foot-9 graduate senior guard (Furman).
The skinny: Melannie Daley, Caileigh Walsh and Taylor Williams are gone after finishing as Northwestern’s three top contributors this past season. Walters will be asked to help fill some of that production; she was a two-time All-SoCon selection who averaged 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game in 2024-25. She’ll likely slot into the starting lineup. Turner looks to be more of a depth piece after making just 35 appearances in four seasons at TCU.
18. Ohio State
Incoming transfers: T’Yana Todd, 6-foot senior guard (Boston College); Kylee Kitts, 6-foot-4 redshirt freshman forward (Florida).
The skinny: Cotie McMahon was lost to the portal and Taylor Thierry to the WNBA, and though co-Big Ten Rookie of the Year Jaloni Cambridge remains, this roster is worse than 2024-25’s. Todd will be tasked with picking up some of the slack; she averaged 13.7 points this past season. Kitts is an intriguing case, as she reclassified to join Florida a year early, then redshirted. With a season of Division I practice experience under her belt, she has the potential to be an impactful addition.
