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 built a data-based algorithm to rank every transfer class throughout the country. In the coming weeks, we will be ranking the men’s and women’s classes from each of the five major conferences.

We continue today with a look at the SEC women’s classes. 

1. Mississippi

Incoming Transfer: Denim DeShields, 5-foot-5 senior guard (Mississippi State); Desrae Kyles, 6-foot-5 sophomore center (Central Michigan); Latasha Lattimore, 6-foot-4 graduate senior forward (Virginia); Cotie McMahon, 6-foot senior forward (Ohio State); Jayla Murray, 6-foot-1 graduate senior forward (Wichita State); Kaitlin Peterson, 5-foot-9 graduate senior guard (Central Florida); Debreasha Powe, 6-foot-1 senior wing (Mississippi State); Tianna Thompson, 5-foot-10 sophomore guard (Georgia Tech)

The Skinny: After losing all three of its leading contributors this offseason, Mississippi invested heavily in the transfer portal with eight new signings. Peterson brings her premier scoring talent to Oxford having finished top-10 in the nation with 21.4 points per game last season. Lattimore will be another instant impact addition coming off a career year in which she averaged 14.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game with 11 double-doubles on the season. McMahon’s a three-time All-Big Ten selection and led Ohio State in scoring last season. Now, she’ll likely be part of Mississippi’s starting five as an experienced veteran and one of the roster’s top offensive weapons. Murray seems more than ready for the jump to high-major basketball following an all-conference campaign at Wichita State as the Shockers’ leading scorer and rebounder. Powe, DeShields and Thompson all arrive after stints at power-conference programs and will be expected to contribute consistently as experienced veterans in the rotation. 

2. Georgia

Incoming Transfers: Dani Carnegie, 5-foot-9 sophomore guard (Georgia Tech); Enjulina Gonzalez, 5-foot-9 junior guard (Miami-OH); Aicha Ndour, 6-foot-6 graduate senior center (Wichita State); Vera Ojenuwa, 6-foot-4 junior forward (Arkansas); Rylie Theuerkauf, 5-foot-9 junior guard (Wake Forest)

The Skinny: Georgia has struggled the past two seasons under head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson but this could be the transfer class that helps her turn it around. Gonzalez is the biggest gamble here; if her talent and scoring ability can translate to the SEC, she’ll be a two-way star. Carnegie and Theuerkauf are both youthful additions who already bring valuable high-major experience and were each double-digit contributors in past stops at Georgia Tech and Wake Forest, respectively. Vera Ojenuwa is a dominant interior piece who averaged 6.8 rebounds per game last season, and she’ll be in line for additional minutes with the Bulldogs. Lastly, Ndour never quite found her footing in stints at Rutgers and Illinois, but at 6-foot-6 she can still be a strong rebounder and shot blocker.

Dana Carnegie makes the instate transfer to the Bulldogs.
Dana Carnegie makes the in-state transfer to the Bulldogs.

3. Texas A&M

Incoming Transfers: Lemyah Hylton, 5-foot-11 senior guard (Miami-FL); Fatmata Janneh, 6-foot-1 junior forward (Saint Peter’s); Ny’Ceara Pryor, 5-foot-3 senior guard (Sacred Heart); Pien Steenbergen, 6-foot-1 redshirt junior wing (Liberty); Jordan Webster, 5-foot-10 graduate senior guard (Kansas)

The Skinny: It’s a big jump from the MAAC to the SEC but if anybody’s capable of making it with success, it’s a duo like Janneh and Pryor. Janneh was an All-MAAC First Team selection in 2024-25, led the conference in rebounding and finished top-10 nationally in doubles-doubles with 19. Meanwhile, Pryor has a mantle filled with accolades: NEC Rookie of the Year, two-time NEC Player of the Year, NEC and MAAC Defensive Player of the Year and, finally, a 2024-25 All-MAAC Second Team selection. She’s led her respective conference in scoring and steals all three years of her career and should slot right in as a scoring playmaker for the Aggies. Webster also looks ready for a high-major opportunity, and though she redshirted at Kansas this past season, the Dallas native was a star at UC Riverside, where she averaged a Big West-leading 17.1 points per game in 2023-24. Texas A&M will have to rely heavily on this trio, and though it’s a group of mid-major talents, their veteran experience and scoring ability will lift this program from the bottom of the SEC.

4. Missouri

Incoming Transfers: Shannon Dowell, 5-foot-10 junior guard (Illinois State); Sydney Mains, 5-foot-10 sophomore guard (Florida Atlantic); Jordana Reisma, 6-foot-3 senior forward (Cleveland State); Jayla Smith, 6-foot graduate senior guard (Purdue); Chloe Sotell, 6-foot sophomore guard (Pepperdine); Lisa Thompson, 5-foot-9 junior guard (Rutgers); Saniah Tyler, 5-foot-6 senior guard (Kentucky)

The Skinny: Missouri finished tied for last in conference this past season, but led by a trio of premier offensive transfers, new head coach Kellie Harper will have every opportunity to right the ship. That trio will consist of Reisma, Dowell and Sotell, who each arrive from respected mid-major programs but will need to get up to speed in the SEC quickly. Reisma finished the 2024-25 campaign as an All-Horizon League Second Teamer and averaged 14.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game as one of the conference’s best two-way players. Dowell, a do-it-all guard, lifted Illinois State to 24 wins and led the team in scoring with 17.6 points while adding 5.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists. And Sotell was one of the WCC’s top rookies, as she managed 10.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game before being honored as an all-conference freshman. Meanwhile, Tyler, Smith and Thompson have all struggled to find consistent production at this level, but will each have opportunities to carve out a role with increased playing time.

Shannon Dowell was very productive for Illinois State last season.
Shannon Dowell was very productive for Illinois State last season.

5. Kentucky

Incoming Transfers: Asia Boone, 5-foot-8 junior guard (Liberty); Josie Gilvin, 6-foot senior guard (Western Kentucky); Tonie Morgan, 5-foot-9 senior guard (Georgia Tech)

The Skinny: Despite senior star Georgia Amoore heading to the WBNA, Kentucky was still able to maintain some of last season’s core, headlined by Clara Strack, Teonni Key and Amelia Hassett. Thus, the Wildcats didn’t need major investment in the portal, but head coach Kenny Brooks still adds three transfer signings who will undoubtedly have a significant impact during the 2025-26 season. Morgan will lead the way given her resume, as she was selected All-ACC Second Team last season and averaged 13.7 points, 5.6 assists and 1.0 steals per game. Gilvin brings an unmatched two-way prowess as she earned All-CUSA Second Team and All-Defensive Team honors in 2024-25. The Louisville native averaged 13.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.6 steals as a 32-game starter for Eastern Kentucky. Last but not least is Boone, who played a significant role in Liberty’s run to winning both the CUSA regular-season and tournament titles. After being selected as CUSA Rookie of the Year in 2023-24, she followed it up by contributing 10.2 points and 3.0 rebounds per game while starting all 30 of her appearances.

6. Auburn

Incoming Transfers: Arek Angui, 6-foot-9 redshirt freshman center (Central Florida); Angena Belloso, 5-foot-11 senior guard (Florida International); Ja’Mia Harris, 5-foot-11 junior guard (Texas State), A’riel Jackson, 5-foot-9 senior guard (Cincinnati); Khady Leye, 6-foot-2 sophomore forward (Towson); Quanirah Montague, 6-foot-5 junior forward (Mississippi State); Mya Petticord, 5-foot-9 senior guard (Rutgers)
The Skinny: Newly-minted Auburn head coach Larry Vickers had his hands full this offseason rebuilding a squad that finished tied for last in the SEC. With just two returning contributors, Vickers dove into the transfer portal head-first to flesh out the rest of his rotation. CAA All-Freshman honoree Lee and Texas State starter Harris are the focal points of this group. Lee will have to improve heading into her sophomore season while Harris will be deployed as a starter in the backcourt. The Tigers are going to need production from both and will look to a trio of former high-major recruits to try and get out of the SEC basement. Montague, Jackson and Petticord each struggled for consistency in past stops but have shown an ability to compete at the high-major level. All three will be afforded more playing time and will be asked to help lift an Auburn roster that lacks depth.

7. South Carolina

Incoming Transfers: Ta’Niya Latson, 5-foot-8 senior guard (Florida State); Madina Okot, 6-foot-5 senior forward (Mississippi State)

The Skinny: South Carolina may have lost several seniors to the WNBA and MiLaysia Fulwiley to the portal, but with a core of last season’s roster returning, head coach Dawn Staley was meticulous with her additions. To pair with the return of Joyce Edwards and Chloe Kitts, the Gamecocks bring in an AP All-American and a three-time All-ACC selection in Latson. She’ll slot into the backcourt as a scoring playmaker as South Carolina looks to defend its SEC titles. Okot will provide some much needed size and physicality to the frontcourt, where she averaged 11.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game with 12 double-doubles last season.

8. Texas

Incoming Transfers: Lovisa Asbrink Hose, 6-foot-6 sophomore center (Florida Atlantic); Breya Cunningham, 6-foot-4 junior forward (Arizona); Ashton Judd, 6-foot-1 senior guard (Missouri); Teya Sidberry, 6-foot-1 senior forward (Boston College)

The Skinny: In the program’s first season as members of the SEC, Texas finished as co-regular season champions and will return leading scorer Madison Booker. With several seniors out of eligibility, however, head coach Vic Schaefer added a few big names from the portal to help bolster his roster. Cunningham erupted during her sophomore season with Arizona, averaging 11.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, including four double-doubles. Sidberry has been productive over her two seasons with Boston College and most recently managed 12.5 points per game while leading the Eagles in rebounding. Judd was SEC All-Freshman back in 2023 and has only improved since, averaging 12.5 points and 5.7 rebounds over the last two years. Asbrink Hose is more of a project piece, but if the Longhorns staff can develop her into a high-major contributor she’ll be a terror in the SEC at 6-foot-6.

9. Alabama

Incoming Transfers: Waiata Jennings, 5-foot-9 senior guard (Baylor); Alancia Ramsey, 6-foot junior wing (Coastal Carolina); Ta’Mia Scott, 6-foot senior guard (Middle Tennessee)

The Skinny: All three of Alabama’s leading contributors departed for the WNBA this offseason, but with a cast of returners waiting in the wings the Crimson Tide avoided a major portal overhaul. Still, Scott and Ramsey have the potential to be two of the SEC’s top transfer-portal signings if their respective talents can translate to the high-major level. Scott is a two-time All-CUSA selection who averaged 16.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in 35 starts this past season, while Ramsey garnered an All-Sun Belt Third Team award in 2024-25 for managing 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Jennings is more of a shot in the dark; she’s a former JUCO All-American and Conference Player of the Year but didn’t produce much in her limited minutes at Baylor. Alabama will try to unlock her talent with some increased playing time.

10. LSU

Incoming Transfers: MiLaysia Fulwiley, 5-foot-10 junior guard (South Carolina); Amiya Joyner, 6-foot-2 senior forward (East Carolina); Kate Koval, 6-foot-5 sophomore forward (Notre Dame)

The Skinny: Though leading scorer Aneesah Morrow is now in the WNBA, LSU retained a pair of all-conference selections in Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams. Joyner will fill right into the frontcourt coming off a season in which she averaged just shy of a double-double with 15.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. Fulwiley could be ready for starter’s minutes after finishing as 2024-25 SEC Sixth Woman of the Year with 11.7 points per game. Koval was the No. 5 overall recruit in the Class of 2024 according to espnW, but didn’t quite reach her potential as a freshman. She’ll have plenty of opportunities to improve under a staff known for its player development.

Fulwiley was the Sixth Woman of the Year at South Carolina.
Fulwiley was the Sixth Woman of the Year at South Carolina.

11. Arkansas

Incoming Transfers: Taleyah Jones, 5-foot-10 senior guard (Oral Roberts); Wyvette Mayberry, 5-foot-7 graduate senior guard (Kansas); Emily Robinson, 5-foot-10 junior guard (Oral Roberts); Maria Anais Rodriguez, 6-foot-3 sophomore forward (Oklahoma State).

The Skinny: New Arkansas head coach Kelsi Musick brings over two of her best players from Oral Roberts in leading scorer Jones and former Summit League Rookie of the Year Robinson. Overseeing a youthful roster in her first season in charge, there is no doubt Musick will tap both Jones and Robsinon to start as she looks to implement her style. Mayberry was once a star at Tulsa and even had a standout junior season at Kansas, but has since been hampered by injuries. A move to join this rebuilt Razorbacks squad will give her an opportunity to reset and once again prove herself as a solid contributor. Rodriguez will be part of that aforementioned youthful core, but she brings a wealth of international experience and has now spent a season in the Big 12 with Oklahoma State. All four will need to produce in their given minutes if Arkansas is to be competitive in the SEC.

12. Tennessee

Incoming Transfers: Janiah Barker, 6-foot-4 senior forward (UCLA); Nya Robertson, 5-foot-7 senior guard (SMU); Jersey Wolfenbarger, 6-foot-5 senior forward (LSU)

The Skinny: Tennessee and head coach Kim Caldwell were able to retain the bulk of last season’s roster, most notably leading scorer Talaysia Cooper. Thus, the Volunteers were able to be selective in the transfer portal and hit a home run with the signing of Robinson. An All-ACC Second Team selection during her time at SMU, Robinson is a premier scorer who averaged 18.5 points per game and shot 31 percent from three in 2024-25. Barker was just recently selected as the Big Ten Sixth Woman of the Year and though her production dipped with a move to UCLA this past season, she’s still one of the nation’s best rebounders. Wolfenbarger, a former SEC All-Freshman selection, will try to return to form after staying in-conference, where her veteran experience will be invaluable.

Janiah Barker is one of the top rebounders in the nation.
Janiah Barker is one of the top rebounders in the nation.

13. Mississippi State

Incoming Transfers: Trayanna Crisp, 5-foot-8 senior guard (North Carolina); Saniyah King, 5-foot-7 sophomore guard (Howard); Kharyssa Richardson, 6-foot-2 senior forward (Mississippi); Faith Wylder, 6-foot-6 sophomore center (Stony Brook)

The Skinny: Mississippi State isn’t returning a single starter from last season and despite King’s signing, this class isn’t enough to offset all that production lost to the transfer portal. In 32 appearances last season, King averaged 11.5 points, 4.5 assists and 3.1 rebounds on her way to being crowned MEAC Rookie of the Year. Crisp struggled this past season with a transfer to North Carolina but was a star in the Pac-12 with Arizona before that. Head coach Sam Purcell will look to get the most out of her and help Crisp once again find what made her successful two seasons ago. Richardson arrives from a local rival and thus brings SEC experience, but she’s never averaged more than 7.2 points per game going back to her freshman season at Auburn. Lastly, Wylder joins from Stony Brook, where she made just six appearances as a freshman. Height really does come at a premium these days, even for the high-major programs, and Wylder is the primary example — but it’s doubtful she’s ready for the SEC just yet.

14. Florida

Incoming Transfers: K’Nisha Godfrey, 5-foot-9 senior guard (TCU); Jade Weathersby, 6-foot-2 junior forward (UAB)

The Skinny: Florida was able to retain two of its top scorers from last season in Liv McGill and Laila Reynolds, and  Weathersby looks ready to be a high-major contributor as she finished All-ACC Second Team in 2024-25 (11.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.0 blocks per game). However, Godfrey played sparingly last season for a nationally prominent TCU program. The Gators will need her to be a productive bench piece or issues of depth will arise for head coach Kelly Rae Finley.

15. Vanderbilt

Incoming Transfers: Aalyah Del Rosario, 6-foot-6 junior center (LSU); Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda, 6-foot-2 graduate senior guard (Texas)

The Skinny: Mwenentanda was a solid role player on a Texas team that won 35 games last season and will be expected to improve with increased minutes at Vanderbilt. Del Rosario, on the other hand, was an All-Freshman SEC selection, but less playing time led to declining production in 2024-25, prompting her to enter the portal. She too will be expected to return to form with more consistent minutes on the court, and at 6-foot-6 she could be a dominant interior piece. Most importantly, both are now veterans and will be expected to help nurture Vanderbilt’s incoming top-100 recruit, Aubrey Galvan.

Mwenentanda brings Final Four experience to Vandy.
Mwenentanda brings Final Four experience to Vandy.

16. Oklahoma

Incoming Transfers: None

The Skinny: According to 247Sports, Oklahoma is bringing in the No. 1 recruit in the nation with freshman guard Aaliyah Chavez joining the roster this offseason. Behind her, two other 4-star recruits will land in Norman in 6-foot-3 freshman forward Brooklyn Stewart and 6-foot freshman guard Keziah Lofton, and the program added a pair of international recruits in 5-foot-11 freshman guard Emma Tolan (Ireland) and 6-foot-4 freshman forward Daffa Cissoko (France). With such a talented incoming freshman class, head coach Jennie Baranczyk didn’t feel the need to acquire any transfer talent this offseason. 

Meet your guide

Riley Frain

Riley Frain

Riley Frain has been covering college basketball on the east coast since 2019, starting at Saint Joseph’s University where he graduated from in 2021. He’s currently a staff writer with SB Nation’s Mid-Major Madness providing regular reporting on conference’s like the Atlantic 10, CAA and more. In 2022, he joined The Portal Report as a recruiting reporter where he assists...
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