In the midst of a dynamic offseason, LSU is actively maneuvering through a significant reshuffling within women’s college basketball, as over 1,000 players have entered the NCAA transfer portal. This turbulence has prompted the Tigers to reassess and rebuild their roster, particularly after notable departures among their backcourt players.
During the past week, LSU witnessed three of its guards opting for transfer, significantly impacting the team’s depth. Among those entering the portal on Tuesday was freshman Bella Hines, who contributed an average of 13 minutes per game throughout the 2025/26 season. Her statistical output included 4.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per contest. Joining her in this exodus were teammates Divine Bourrage and Kailyn Gilbert, signaling a considerable shift in the Tigers’ guard rotation.
Recruitment and Roster Reconfiguration
Despite these setbacks, the program under the stewardship of head coach Kim Mulkey received a promising injection of talent. Highly touted 6-foot-5 recruit Caroline Bradley, ranked as the No. 3 high school prospect nationally, has pledged her commitment to LSU. A native of Louisiana, Bradley is slated to join the Tigers for the 2027/28 season, providing a substantial boost to the team’s frontcourt prospects.
This strategic acquisition underscores LSU’s intent to remain competitive in the fiercely contested SEC landscape, even as the transfer portal continues to reshape collegiate rosters on an unprecedented scale. The Tigers’ ability to integrate emerging talent like Bradley will prove pivotal in offsetting the recent departures and sustaining the program’s upward trajectory.