LSU’s Kim Mulkey Faces Transition After Losing Four Players to the Transfer Portal

LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey has long been known for her ability to build championship-caliber teams, as evidenced by the Tigers’ recent successes. However, following a successful 2025 NCAA season that saw LSU reach the Elite Eight, the program has faced some unexpected challenges in the form of several key players entering the transfer portal. In total, four players from LSU’s roster have decided to transfer, leaving Coach Mulkey with the difficult task of rebuilding and reloading her squad for the next season.

The Departures: A Difficult Transition

The loss of four players through the transfer portal marks a significant shift for LSU, which has consistently been one of the top teams in NCAA women’s basketball. These departures are particularly impactful given that the players involved were not only part of the team’s core rotation but also have tremendous potential.

One of the most notable departures is Jersey Wolfenbarger, a 6-foot-5 guard-forward who transferred to LSU from Arkansas. Wolfenbarger’s lone season with LSU saw her average 4.6 points and 3.4 rebounds over 37 games, starting in nine of them. Despite limited playing time in certain areas, her potential as a versatile forward was evident, and her departure leaves a void in the Tigers’ frontcourt.

Wolfenbarger’s move adds to the list of frontcourt players leaving the program, including Aalyah Del Rosario, the standout center, and Sa’Myah Smith, a talented forward. These losses impact the team’s depth and experience in the post, which had been critical to LSU’s defensive prowess. The exits of Wolfenbarger and others leave LSU with significant gaps to fill, and Coach Mulkey will need to find replacements who can contribute immediately.

In addition to the frontcourt players, Last-Tear Poa, a guard, also entered the transfer portal. Poa’s departure is another significant loss for LSU’s backcourt. While her playing time was often limited, Poa had shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season and was a reliable bench player for the Tigers.

Other departures from LSU include Angelica Velez, a freshman guard who entered the portal after just one season with the Tigers. Velez, who was the No. 44 ranked prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, had appeared in 23 games and played a total of 111 minutes. Despite limited playing time, Velez’s decision to transfer adds to the overall turnover in the program’s roster.

Another freshman, Janae Kent, has also decided to transfer. Kent, a 6-foot-1 wing from Illinois, played in a reserve role, averaging just eight minutes per game. She started one game during the season when several players were injured, but her departure means that LSU loses another piece of its future potential.

These four transfers mark a clear shift for LSU’s women’s basketball program. The reasons for these transfers are varied, with players leaving to seek more playing time, new opportunities, or simply a change of scenery. For Coach Mulkey, these departures signify not just a loss of talent but also the beginning of a new chapter in the program’s evolution.

Adjusting to Change: Mulkey’s Plan to Reload

While the departures are undoubtedly a setback, LSU’s roster has not been completely gutted, and Coach Mulkey has already begun working to reload with new talent. LSU’s ability to recruit has been one of its greatest strengths under Mulkey, and this summer, the team is looking to build on that strength with a series of key additions.

To replace the lost talent, LSU has been active in the transfer portal. The Tigers have already secured commitments from several new players, including Mjracle Sheppard, a guard from Mississippi State, and Kailyn Gilbert, a guard from Arizona. Both Sheppard and Gilbert bring a wealth of experience and are expected to contribute immediately to the team’s backcourt. With a combination of size, skill, and athleticism, both players should be able to fill some of the voids left by the departed players.

Additionally, LSU has secured the commitment of Shayeann Day-Wilson from Miami (FL), another guard with strong scoring ability and a dynamic skill set. Day-Wilson’s ability to impact the game both offensively and defensively will be crucial as the Tigers look to maintain their competitive edge in the SEC.

These transfers, along with the returning talent from last season’s squad, should help stabilize LSU’s roster and keep them competitive in the elite ranks of women’s basketball. LSU’s recruitment efforts have been strategic, focusing on areas of need—specifically in the backcourt—while also ensuring that the team remains strong in the frontcourt.

Despite the departures, LSU has a solid foundation for the upcoming season. Flau’jae Johnson, a rising star for LSU, remains a central piece of the team’s future, and her leadership and skill set will be crucial as the Tigers move forward. Johnson, who was one of the top players in the nation last season, has the ability to take over games and is poised for a breakout year in 2025–26.

Coach Kim Mulkey’s Leadership Amid Transition

For Coach Kim Mulkey, leading LSU through this transition is yet another test of her coaching acumen. Mulkey has already proven herself to be one of the most successful and respected coaches in college basketball, winning national championships with Baylor and building a powerhouse at LSU. However, managing roster changes is always a challenge, and Mulkey will need to use all of her experience and leadership skills to navigate this new landscape.

Mulkey’s track record of developing talent and building strong team chemistry will be vital as she brings in new players and integrates them with the existing roster. The key to LSU’s success next season will lie in the team’s ability to gel quickly and make the most of the talent they have. With several new faces and the loss of veteran players, it will take time for the team to build cohesion, but Coach Mulkey’s ability to bring out the best in her players will be critical.

Moreover, Mulkey’s emphasis on strong defense and a high-paced offense has been a hallmark of her coaching style, and she will likely continue to instill these principles in her team. As LSU retools its roster, it’s possible that the Tigers could play with a new, faster tempo, with more emphasis on quick transitions and perimeter shooting.

The Challenges Ahead

While LSU remains one of the most talented and well-coached teams in women’s college basketball, the changes within the program are significant. The loss of key players means that Coach Mulkey will have to rely on her depth and on the development of younger players. The SEC is one of the most competitive conferences in the country, and LSU will need to adjust quickly to remain a top contender.

The Tigers will also face an intense non-conference schedule that will test their ability to compete at a high level. While LSU has the talent to succeed, the challenge will be for the team to gel quickly and effectively in order to make a run at the SEC title and beyond.

The key to LSU’s success in 2025–26 will be finding the right balance between developing new talent and maintaining the winning culture that has been established under Mulkey. If the Tigers can navigate these challenges and find success in their new-look roster, they could once again be a force to be reckoned with in women’s college basketball.

Conclusion

LSU’s women’s basketball program is facing a time of transition, as Coach Kim Mulkey and the Tigers navigate the departures of four players to the transfer portal. While these losses are significant, the team’s ability to reload with new talent should help maintain LSU’s standing as one of the top teams in NCAA women’s basketball. Coach Mulkey’s leadership and recruiting prowess will be key as LSU adapts to the changes and looks to continue its tradition of excellence in the SEC. With several new players joining the roster and a core of talented returning players, LSU is poised to remain a formidable force in the years to come.