During one of the most unpredictable and active transfer portal seasons in recent memory, UConn women’s basketball has remained largely untouched after winning the 2025 NCAA championship.
The spring transfer window officially closed Wednesday, meaning no new entries can retain eligibility for the 2025–26 season. Only one UConn player, sophomore guard Qadence Samuels, entered the portal, seeking more playing time after averaging under six minutes per game. Head coach Geno Auriemma noted her departure was driven by the desire for more on-court opportunities.
In contrast, nearly every major contender that UConn faced during its title run has lost key players to the portal. South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley left after consecutive NCAA finals, UCLA’s Londynn Jones flipped to USC, and USC lost two top-20 freshmen, Kayleigh Heckel and Avery Howell, both of whom had key postseason roles after JuJu Watkins’s ACL injury. Notre Dame also saw major losses, including star Olivia Miles (to TCU) and freshman standout Kate Koval (to LSU).
Since the transfer portal’s inception in 2019, UConn hasn’t lost a single starter. The program is also very selective about who it brings in, signing just three transfers in the portal era all of whom thrived. Dorka Juhasz (from Ohio State), Lou Lopez Sénéchal (from Fairfield), and Kaitlyn Chen (from Princeton) each became key contributors.
Auriemma has never added more than one transfer in a single offseason and may not do so this year either, especially with three incoming freshmen replacing the three departing seniors. However, given the stiff national competition and top names already being signed, it wouldn’t be surprising if UConn skips the portal altogether as it did in 2022–23 and 2019–20.
“Our transfers have been perfect fits,” Auriemma said during the team’s recent title celebration. “We’re not just looking to fill spots. We’re looking for the right fit, if that player’s even out there.”
With Paige Bueckers gone, UConn’s biggest loss is in the backcourt, though the team’s most urgent need may be at forward. Auriemma leaned on freshman Sarah Strong as the sole big for much of last season, showing limited trust in centers Jana El Alfy and Ice Brady. Though both could improve, a veteran post presence would bring needed versatility.
One standout option is Wisconsin’s Serah Williams, a 6-foot-4 forward from Brooklyn who averaged 19.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game last season and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Her size and rim protection would fill a key gap left by Bueckers, who actually blocked more shots last season than either El Alfy or Brady.
UConn may also have a connection to Williams through former Badgers coach Marisa Moseley, a longtime assistant under Auriemma. However, Williams is also being pursued by North Carolina and LSU where she recently visited and where the Tigers have already landed two major transfer forwards, including Koval.
UConn might also look to add depth at guard. With Bueckers and Chen departing, a veteran presence in the backcourt could help. One possibility is Vanderbilt junior Iyanna Moore, who averaged 12.4 points and shot nearly 35% from three despite playing a supporting role. With former Husky Shea Ralph coaching at Vanderbilt, Moore could be a familiar fit though she may prefer a starting role over a bench spark at UConn.
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