Top Women’s Basketball Scorer Liv McGill Enters Transfer Portal
In a big shakeup for women’s college basketball, Florida’s Liv McGill—one of the nation’s top scorers—has entered the transfer portal. McGill, a sophomore guard, joins at least 1,000 other players looking for new teams as the offseason gets underway.
Her standout season has made her one of the most in-demand players in college hoops right now. Let’s take a closer look at what McGill accomplished, what’s going on with her transfer, and where she might land next.
Liv McGill’s Stellar Performance at Florida
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McGill, a 5-foot-9 guard from Hopkins High School in Minnesota, really turned heads with the Gators this year. She averaged 22.5 points per game—good for 11th in the country, sixth among Power 4 teams, and second in the SEC.
But her game isn’t just about scoring. She also put up 6.3 assists, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.6 steals per game, shooting 43.1% from the field. That’s a well-rounded stat line by any measure.
Unique Achievements
This season, McGill stood alone as the only player in the country to average at least 20 points, six rebounds, and six assists per game. She earned a spot on the All-SEC team, which feels more than deserved.
Despite her efforts, Florida missed the NCAA Tournament for the fourth year running. The team finished 18-15 overall and went 5-11 in SEC play. That led to some big changes, including firing head coach Kelly Rae Finley.
Coaching Changes and Future Prospects
After Finley left, Florida brought in Tammi Reiss from Rhode Island as the new head coach. Reiss, who played with Dawn Staley at Virginia back in the day, just led Rhode Island to an A-10 title and their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1996.
McGill showed up at Reiss’ introductory press conference, but she hasn’t committed to staying. With the transfer portal closing on April 15, her options are still wide open.
Potential Destinations for McGill
Plenty of programs would love to add someone like McGill. Here are a few places that might make sense:
- Minnesota Gophers: Heading home could be appealing. The Gophers need a new starting guard after Amaya Battle graduated, and they’re fresh off their first Sweet 16 since 2005. That’s got to be tempting.
- South Carolina Gamecocks: With Raven Johnson and Ta’Niya Latson moving on, Dawn Staley needs guards. McGill has already shown she can score against tough SEC teams, so this could be a natural fit.
- Duke Blue Devils: Kara Lawson’s squad loses Taina Mair and Ashlon Jackson. Pairing McGill with Toby Fournier in the post could give Duke a dangerous one-two punch.
- Maryland Terrapins: Kaylene Smikle is in the portal, and Saylor Poffenbarger plus Yarden Garzon are graduating, so there are shots up for grabs. Brenda Frese runs an up-tempo offense and has a solid track record developing WNBA talent—McGill might like that.
- UCF Knights: If she wants to stay in Florida, UCF under new coach Gabe Lazo could be a fresh start. The Knights haven’t made the NCAA Tournament in four years, and McGill could be the centerpiece of their rebuild.
McGill’s Background and Recruitment
McGill was a big deal coming out of high school. She was a five-star prospect in 2024 and ranked 15th in her class by ESPN.
She made the McDonald’s All-American team and was considered Minnesota’s top player, even ahead of Michigan’s Olivia Olson. Now that she’s in the portal, coaches and fans are watching her next move closely.
Impact on the Transfer Portal Landscape
McGill’s decision to transfer really shows how much player movement has taken over college basketball. With over 1,000 players in the portal, teams have a ton of chances to change things up.
The portal’s become a huge tool for coaches who want to fill gaps or add more talent. It’s honestly hard to keep up sometimes, but that’s part of what makes this offseason so interesting.
Conclusion
Liv McGill’s next move is already shaping up to be a major storyline in women’s college basketball. The offseason buzz just keeps growing.
Her stats and accolades? They’re impressive—no wonder so many top programs want her. Will she head back home to Minnesota, pick a powerhouse like South Carolina or Duke, or maybe take on a rebuild at UCF?
Honestly, wherever she lands, you can bet her impact will be huge. If you’re following the transfer portal drama, this is one to watch.
For more info on Liv McGill’s transfer and other top player moves, check out this detailed article.
