Just five days after the UConn Huskies captured the 2025 national championship, Qadence Samuels who played her first two collegiate seasons at UConn announced on April 11 that she was entering the NCAA transfer portal.
In her Instagram post revealing the decision, Samuels expressed gratitude: “To my teammates, thank you for always supporting me and pushing me to grow as a player. The unforgettable moments we shared on and off the court made this experience truly special. You’re the best sisterhood I could have hoped for. To my coaches, thank you for challenging me to be my best, both on the court and in life.” She concluded by saying, “With that said, I have decided to enter the transfer portal and am excited for the next chapter.”
Despite some of Samuels’ social media posts and the longer-than-usual time it took her to commit to a new school, there was speculation that she might return to UConn.
However, on May 30, Samuels confirmed she would not be going back, announcing her commitment to NC State. She and the NC State women’s basketball team shared a joint Instagram post featuring images of her in a Wolfpack uniform alongside a graphic celebrating her decision. The caption read, “Welcome to the Pack, Qadence 🐺 We have a playmaker coming to Raleigh!”
The news sparked support from current and former UConn players. Ashlynn Shade commented, “Congrats Q! Happy for you!!” Morgan Cheli shared the post on her Instagram story with heart-hand emojis, and Nika Muhl now with the Seattle Storm wrote, “Congrats Q!!!!<3”.
Samuels’ former teammates clearly continue to support her as she begins a new chapter at NC State.
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