LSU Women’s Basketball Transfer Portal: Key Additions and Departures
In women’s college basketball, the transfer portal keeps shaking up team rosters and strategies. Kim Mulkey’s LSU Tigers just went through a wild series of changes after their narrow 85-87 loss to Duke in the Sweet 16.
Mulkey had hoped to keep most of her players. The portal, though, really threw a wrench into her plans.
This post digs into those roster changes and the new faces joining the Tigers. What does all this mean for the future of LSU women’s basketball?
The Departure of Key Players
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The Tigers have watched several important players leave through the transfer portal. That’s left the team’s core looking pretty different.
Divine Bourrage
Divine Bourrage was the first to say she’d be leaving LSU. Mulkey had already hinted at Bourrage’s exit during a chat with WAFB-TV’s Jacques Doucet, so it wasn’t a total shock.
Bella Hines
Next up was Bella Hines, who surprised fans with her own transfer announcement. She spent just one season at LSU before committing to the TCU Horned Frogs, and she made that decision just two days after entering the portal.
Kailyn Gilbert
Kailyn Gilbert also entered the transfer portal after being away from the team since November for personal reasons. She played only five games last season, so her departure opens a new door for her somewhere else.
Jada Richard
Jada Richard’s decision to leave caught almost everyone off guard. Mulkey had felt pretty confident Richard would be back, so her exit stings.
Richard thanked LSU and its fans in a heartfelt statement, making it clear how much she valued her time there.
New Additions to the LSU Roster
Even with all these departures, LSU has managed to snag some promising new players from the portal. These fresh faces bring energy and potential, hoping to fill the gaps left behind.
Laila Reynolds
Laila Reynolds, a former Florida Gators guard, is coming to Baton Rouge. Last season, Reynolds put up 12.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.
Her numbers jump off the page, and she could really make a difference for the Tigers.
Jada Williams
Jada Williams is another addition, coming over from Iowa State. Williams averaged 15.3 points, 7.7 assists, and 3.5 rebounds last season.
She’s got the skills and experience LSU needs as they try to rebuild and get back on track.
Kim Mulkey’s Strategy and Future Plans
Mulkey started out thinking she’d keep her core roster together for next season. She figured she’d add two or three players from the portal, then take a little break with her family.
But with so many players leaving, she’s had to change things up.
Adapting to Changes
Mulkey’s been far more active in the portal than she expected. She’s already brought in two top players and keeps scouting for more talent.
Honestly, she doesn’t have much choice if she wants LSU to stay competitive.
Looking Ahead
Still, Mulkey sounds optimistic about what’s next for LSU women’s basketball. These new additions bring a ton of talent and potential.
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With Mulkey at the helm, the Tigers have a shot at bouncing back. There’s a lot riding on how quickly the team can come together and find their rhythm this season.
Conclusion
The transfer portal has definitely shaken up the LSU Tigers’ roster. Key players like Bella Hines, Kailyn Gilbert, and Jada Richard have left the team.
But with new faces like Laila Reynolds and Jada Williams, there’s a sense of hope for LSU women’s basketball. Kim Mulkey faces the challenge of adapting and finding new strategies, which will matter a lot as the next season approaches.
If you want to dig deeper into these changes, check out the full article on the College Sports Network.