(Photo by Mitchell Northam / For The Win)
Mitchell Northam
April 27, 2024 3:07 pm ET
It’s nearly May, and while most of the head coach openings have been filled, much is unsettled with the transfer portal in women’s college basketball.
While some big-name stars have found new homes – like Hailey Van Lith landing at TCU – others are still in limbo, taking their time to consider all their options.
There’s a handful of players still out there to be had in the transfer portal that can change the expectations and potential of teams – ones whose additions can turn a squad from a perennial top 25 squad into a national title contender.
As we approach the end of April, these are some of the best players that remain in the portal:
Kiki Iriafen – Forward, Stanford
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 24: Kiki Iriafen #44 of the Stanford Cardinal drives to the basket on Audi Crooks #55 of the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Stanford Maples Pavilion on March 24, 2024 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776122532 ORIG FILE ID: 2111099378
Paired with Cameron Brink, Iriafen helped propel the Cardinal to a Sweet 16 berth this past season. The versatile forward was one of just two players last year to average at least 19 points and 11 rebounds per game, the other being Virginia Tech’s Elizabeth Kitley – a second round draft pick by the Las Vegas Aces. The 6-foot-3 Iriafen has a WNBA future too, but before then, she has one more season of college ball to play. Wherever she chooses to play it, Iriafen – who led the nation in 2-pointers made – will immediately make that team a contender.
Raegan Beers – Forward, Oregon State
ALBANY, NEW YORK – MARCH 31: Raegan Beers #15 of the Oregon State Beavers shoots a free throw during the first half against the South Carolina Gameco*cks in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at MVP Arena on March 31, 2024 in Albany, New York. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
By averaging 17.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, Beers powered the Beavers to their third Elite Eight appearance where they ran up against eventual national champions South Carolina. Beers – and several other Oregon State players – entered the portal after the season ended, and a lot of folks point to the dissolution of the Pac-12 and the Beavers joining the West Coast Conference as a reason why. No matter the reason, Beers became one of the most sought-after players on the transfer market as soon as she entered the portal. The 6-foot-4 forward has two years of eligibility left and was sixth in the nation this past season in field goal percentage, making 66.4 percent of her shots.
Deja Kelly – Guard, North Carolina
GREENSBORO, NC – MARCH 03: Deja Kelly #25 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dribbles the ball up court during the first half of their game against the Duke Blue Devils in the quarterfinals of the ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum on March 3, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
The portal is a bit thin on guards this season, making Kelly one of the best options left for teams looking to fill a void in their backcourt. She’s averaged more than 16 points per game in each of her last three seasons for the Tar Heels, leading them to the NCAA Tournament in each of those campaigns. Kelly has also averaged 3.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in the last two seasons, and this year was one of the best at getting to the free throw line, ranking fifth national in charity stripe attempts with 7.1 per game. Kelly is armed with a smooth mid-range shot and a desire to win.
Kaitlyn Chen – Guard, Princeton
Dec 8, 2022; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; Princeton Tigers guard Kaitlyn Chen (20) drives the ball against UConn Huskies forward Lou Lopez-Senechal (11) in the second half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Chen’s time at Princeton is up, but she still has one more season of college ball to play elsewhere. The 5-foot-9 Californian has been the Most Outstanding Player at the Ivy League Tournament three times and won the Ivy League Player of the Year award in 2023. She shot 32.8 percent from 3-point land this season while averaging 15.8 points and 4.9 assists per game.
Liza Karlen – Forward, Marquette
Mar 10, 2024; Uncasville, CT, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles forward Liza Karlen (32) shoots the ball against the UConn Huskies in the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
One of the best players in the Big East last season, Karlen will play elsewhere in the 2024-25 campaign. This past season, she averaged 17.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 35.7 percent from behind the arc. At 6-foot-2, the St. Paul native can play multiple positions along the wing. It wouldn’t be a shock to see her follow former Marquette coach Megan Duffy to Virginia Tech.
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