Oklahoma Sooners softball is entering a pivotal offseason after missing its first Women's College World Series since 2015.
Last month, the Sooners fell to Mississippi State in the Super Regionals. And now, head coach Patty Gasso faces a roster rebuild through the NCAA transfer portal.
OU Softball Players Enter the 2026 NCAA Transfer Portal
All-American outfielder Kasidi Pickering entered the portal on June 8th. She departs after hitting .384 with 50 homeruns over three seasons — the biggest individual loss on an already-thin OU roster.
Meanwhile, freshman pitcher Berkley Zache moved on after posting a 2.28 ERA this year. Her sister, sophomore catcher and infielder Riley Zache, followed shortly after.
Sophomore utility player Tia Milloy also entered the portal with two years of college softball eligibility remaining. She hit .353 this season.
Gasso Looks to Rebuild Oklahoma Softball Before 2027 Season
May's 6-0 Super Regional loss snapped a nine-year WCWS appearance streak for the Sooners.
With multiple veterans graduating and young talent departing, Gasso is expected to be a highly aggressive market player throughout softball's summer transfer season.
Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Brooklyn Meyer is bypassing the women's NCAA basketball transfer portal, instead joining SDSU volleyball after going undrafted in this year's WNBA Draft.
The 6-foot-2 South Dakota State University forward will join the Jackrabbits' volleyball team for the upcoming NCAA season after exhausting her basketball eligibility. Meyer averaged 22.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game this past season, while ranking third nationally in field goal percentage at 64.6%.
Only one mid-major player — Davidson's Charlise Dunn — was selected in the 2026 WNBA Draft, leaving Meyer and other elite mid-major stars without pro opportunities in the US despite standout college careers.
"Brooklyn is a champion, plain and simple," SDSU volleyball coach Dan Georgalas said. "We are excited to welcome an elite competitor with a championship mentality to our program."
Meyer leaves the women's NCAA basketball program ranking third all-time at South Dakota State in career points (2,097), fifth in rebounds (850), and tied for second in blocks (174). She additionally led the Jackrabbits to four Women's March Madness appearances.
The NCAA permits athletes to play a fifth season in a different sport after exhausting eligibility in their primary sport. Meyer was a multi-sport athlete at West Lyon High School in Larchwood, Iowa, playing three seasons of varsity volleyball.
Meyer will feature as a middle blocker while pursuing her master's degree in nutrition and dietetics. She joins a volleyball program that went 23-5 overall and 16-0 in Summit League play last season before making its second consecutive NCAA tournament in 2025.
"I am so excited to join the SDSU volleyball team and represent the Jacks for another season," Meyer said.
Ex-Florida star Me'Arah O'Neal committed to Kentucky on Monday, as the Wildcats landed one of the NCAA transfer portal's biggest offseason names.
The daughter of NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal announced her decision via Instagram after entering the NCAA transfer portal earlier in April. Me'Arah O'Neal posted 13.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game as a sophomore with the Gators before Florida fired head coach Kelly Rae Finley following the program's fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament absence.
The move reunites the McDonald's All-American with SEC competition. O'Neal joins a Kentucky program that reached the Sweet 16 last season under head coach Kenny Brooks, with aspirations for a deeper 2027 NCAA Tournament run.
Shaq recently praised his youngest daughter's versatility on social media, calling her "the best athlete in the family" and admitting he wishes he could shoot like her. The 15-time NBA All-Star emphasized her modern skill set, blending shooting, ball-handling, and control.
"She's not an old-school player. She's the new pick-your-type player," Shaq said on his podcast. "She can shoot, she can dribble. She can't be fazed when it comes to certain things."
Kentucky returns leading scorer Clara Strack alongside three incoming McDonald's All-American freshmen and UConn transfer Ayanna Patterson. The Wildcats lost in the Sweet 16, but built momentum heading into next season.
Me'Arah O'Neal joins three siblings who played college basketball. Shareef competed at UCLA and LSU, Amirah played at LSU and Texas Southern, while brother Shaqir averaged 5.3 points last season at Sacramento State — where Shaq currently serves as the men's basketball GM under coach Mike Bibby.
The rich are getting richer in women's college basketball as South Carolina and UCLA — the 2026 NCAA tournament finalists — landed major talent Thursday to fuel another championship chase.
South Carolina secured a commitment from Oliviyah Edwards, the No. 5 prospect in the Class of 2026 who reopened her recruitment after initially committing to Tennessee. Edwards requested a release following major roster turnover at Tennessee earlier this month.
"Sometimes it takes twice to get it right," Edwards posted after her South Carolina visit, signaling her commitment to the Gamecocks.
Edwards joins Jerzy Robinson, another top-ranked prospect South Carolina landed in December. The additions bolster Dawn Staley's program after the Gamecocks won three titles before falling short in back-to-back finals.
Edwards proved her elite status at the McDonald's All American Game, posting eight points and nine rebounds. She also visited USC and LSU before choosing South Carolina.
Reigning champion UCLA also padded its roster Thursday as Iowa State transfer Addy Brown officially committed to the Bruins.
Brown battled injuries last season at Iowa State. However, she still averaged 11.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists across 21 games. The 6-foot-2 guard earned spots on the Naismith Trophy and Wooden Award preseason watch lists before entering the transfer portal following the Cyclones' 2026 NCAA tournament exit.
Brown joins coach Cori Close's team as the Bruins look to replace six WNBA Draft picks, including five first-rounders.
Ex-Indiana standout Chloe Spreen is seizing a new opportunity, signing with Illinois State women's basketball ahead of the 2026/27 NCAA season.
Illinois State announced the addition this week, bringing in the former Indiana Ms. Basketball and four-star high school recruit as the program continues to build momentum around a strong postseason run.
Head coach Kristen Gillespie points to Spreen's overall skill set, competitiveness, and leadership as key reasons behind the move.
"She's a dynamic combo guard with a high basketball IQ, relentless work ethic, and a competitive drive," Gillespie said. "Beyond her talent on the court, Chloe brings leadership and character that align perfectly with what we're building in our program. We believe she has the potential to make an immediate impact."
Spreen arrives after stops with the Indiana Hoosiers and the Alabama Crimson Tide, where she saw limited minutes but gained experience at the DI level.
During her 2025/26 season at Indiana, Spreen appeared in 11 games off the bench, averaging 4.7 minutes per contest. She previously played in 20 game as a freshman at Alabama.
Despite limited production so far, her high school resume remains a major part of her profile.
Spreen was named 2024 Indiana Ms. Basketball, finishing her high school career with 1,869 points and multiple all-state honors.
That background is part of why Illinois State views her as a potential impact addition.
The Redbirds are coming off a 24-14 season that included a run to the WNIT championship game, marking their sixth consecutive postseason appearance.
Now, Spreen enters a new system with a clearer path to playing time — giving her a chance to translate her high school success to a larger collegiate role as she looks to take the next step in her career.
Ex-Iowa State star Audi Crooks has found a home, ending weeks of speculation by announcing she’ll transfer to Oklahoma State for her senior year.
Crooks finished the 2025/26 NCAA season second in DI scoring with 25.8 points per game while shooting 64.9% from the field, building on a career 22.8-point, 7.7-rebound-per-game average.
"We are thrilled with the addition of Audi," said Cowgirls head coach Jacie Hoyt in a team statement.
"She has elite size and strength paired with elite hands and touch that allow her to be an automatic bucket around the rim. The last three years I've watched team after team strategize and game plan around stopping her and almost all have failed miserably."
The 6-foot-3 center joins touted Florida transfer Liv McGill in Stillwater, after the rising junior averaged 22.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists last season.
"Liv is arguably the most exciting player to watch in all of college basketball. She has elite quickness and an unbelievable finishing package around the rim," Hoyt said, praising the 5-foot-9 guard.
"Liv can score at all three levels, but she is so much more. She has great court vision and can deliver a pass on a dime. Her speed and athleticism allow her to jump passing lanes on the other end of the floor."
NCAA Transfer Portal Closes as Top Players Find New Teams
The 2026 NCAA transfer portal closed Monday night, ending its official entry period — though players already in the portal can still commit to new schools.
Some big names opted to stay put, as Virginia guard Kymora Johnson announced she’ll exit the portal and return to the Cavaliers under new coach Aaron Roussell.
Others are heading out, as Texas guard Jordan Lee goes to South Carolina, Iowa State guard Jada Williams joins LSU, Georgia guard Dani Carnegie moves to Iowa, and Tennessee guard Talaysia Cooper lands at Ole Miss.
Audi Crooks is headed to Oklahoma State, giving the Cowgirls a major boost out of the women's college basketball transfer portal.
The former Iowa State star announced her commitment in a video wearing an Oklahoma State uniform, dancing alongside Cowgirls head coach Jacie Hoyt.
Crooks entered the portal earlier this month, immediately becoming one of NCAA basketball's most sought-after players.
She leaves Iowa State following a dominant junior season. The 6-foot-3 center averaged 25.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 65% from the field. She finished 2025/26 as the second-leading scorer in the country while earning Second Team AP All-American honors.
That production made her the portal's top player — as well as a potential game-changer for Oklahoma State.
The move keeps Crooks in the Big 12, where she has already established herself as an elite interior players. Oklahoma State is coming off a 24-win season and NCAA tournament appearance, while Iowa State finished seventh in the conference on a 22-10 record.
Crooks's impact goes beyond scoring. Her efficiency in the paint, footwork, and ability to control tempo make her one of the most unique frontcourt players in the country. She also brings consistency, earning multiple All-Big 12 honors during her time at Iowa State.
Now, the focus shifts to what this means for Oklahoma State women's basketball.
Crooks joins a roster that is continuing to build through the transfer portal, positioning the Cowgirls as a team to watch heading into the 2026/27 NCAA season.
For Crooks, the move offers one more year to build on an already-standout college career — this time with a new program and elevated expectations.
Kymora Johnson is heading back to Virginia women's basketball, as the guard withdraws from the NCAA transfer portal and recommits to the Cavaliers.
Johnson's decision comes less than two weeks after newly hired head coach Aaron Roussell arrived in Charlottesville.
The move transforms Virginia's outlook for the 2026/27 NCAA season. Kymora Johnson emerged as one of the most coveted players in the transfer portal after earning two All-ACC First-Team selections during her Virginia career. She averaged 19.5 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game last season.
The former McDonald's High School All-American later announced herself on the national stage during this year's Women's March Madness. She poured in 22.5 points per game throughout Virginia's NCAA tournament run, leading the Cavaliers to their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2000.
Johnson's postseason performance helped Virginia make history, becoming the first-ever women's team to advance from the First Four to the Sweet 16.
Johnson already owns multiple Virginia program records, after breaking the career 3-pointers record in February. She then set the single-season record with 103 3-pointers this year, while setting a John Paul Jones Arena record with 10 3-pointers against Winthrop in December.
The Charlottesville native currently sits fourth on the all-time Virginia assists leaderboard while ranking ninth on the all-time scoring list. Should she score 411 more points, she'll surpass Dawn Staley to claim second place.
As guard Olivia McGhee also withdraws from the transfer portal and recommits to Virginia, coach Roussell can now rely on a stronger foundation as the college basketball offseason heats up.
Rashunda Jones has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal, leaving Michigan State women's basketball with a significant backcourt gap heading into the college offseason.
The 5-foot-8 junior guard entered the portal with a do-not-contact tag, signaling she's likely already confirmed a new team. That detail adds urgency to her departure, with more experienced guards now off the market.
Jones started 28 games for the Spartans in 2025/26, averaging 11.7 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. She primarily shouldered ball-handling duties, contributing on both ends of the floor throughout her lone season in East Lansing.
"Thank you to my coaches, teammates and especially my family for your constant support and for believing in me," Jones said in her Instagram post. "With that being said, I have decided to enter the transfer portal. This was not an easy decision, but I'm excited for what the future holds."
After transferring to Michigan State, Jones stepped into a starting role and quickly became one of the team's most consistent guards. She earned Big Ten All-Defensive team honors after helping lead the Spartans to the NCAA tournament's second round.
That turnover reflects a broader trend across the sport. The women's transfer portal opened on April 6th following the NCAA tournament. Early entries have already tapped 1,000 players, affecting everything from mid-major staples to March Madness mainstays.
Jones's exit additionally complicates a growing list of Michigan State departures. Ines Sotela, Juliann Woodward, and Jordan Ode have also entered the NCAA transfer portal, leaving the program with multiple pieces to replace.
Now, Michigan State will likely look to the transfer portal to reshape its roster ahead of the 2026/27 NCAA season.
The women's basketball carousel keeps spinning, as LSU searches for new talent after 1,000+ players entered the NCAA transfer portal.
The Tigers lost three guards this week. Freshman Bella Hines joined Divine Bourrage and Kailyn Gilbert in the portal on Tuesday. Hines averaged 13 minutes per game during LSU's 2025/26 campaign, while averaging 4.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists.
But coach Kim Mulkey’s program did see a boost, as 6-foot-5 No. 3 high school recruit Caroline Bradley committed to LSU. The Louisiana native plans to join the Tigers for the 2027/28 season.
"First and foremost, I want to win. But I also want to be developed and challenged over the course of the next four years," Bradley told ESPN.
"Coach Mulkey and the staff have worked to build a great relationship with me and my family... I can't wait to be a part of a family that runs deeper than basketball."
NCAA Transfer Portal Rattles Women's College Basketball
With a free range of movement and money to be made, the NCAA transfer portal can impact blue chip programs both positively and negatively as rosters become increasingly stacked.
Back-to-back Final Four participant Texas is also feeling the spin, as 2025 recruit Aaliyah Crump departed Austin after averaging 7.9 points per game across 24 appearances. Forwards Aaliyah Moore and Justice Carlton followed suit.
Big-name programs also stand to benefit from the talent pool, with key prospects like Iowa State center Audi Crooks and Virginia guard Kymora Johnson shopping for new teams.