The Transfer Portal Just Flipped Women’s College Basketball on Its Head
The women’s transfer portal just delivered a seismic shakeup, and at the center of it are two game-changers: Ta’Niya Latson has exited Florida State Seminoles to land at South Carolina Gamecocks, while MiLaysia Fulwiley is heading from South Carolina to LSU Tigers, leaving both programs in transition. At Florida State, Latson averaged a staggering 25.2 points per game in the 2024-25 season, grabbed 4.6 rebounds, and handed out 4.6 assists, dominating the ACC and the nation. South Carolina, fresh off a run to the national championship game, identified Latson as the ace they needed to regain title momentum. Meanwhile, Fulwiley averaged 11.7 points per game in about 18.9 minutes a contest for the Gamecocks and brings high-level athleticism to LSU’s roster. Both moves send ripples across the SEC and the national picture as the November tip-off draws closer.
For Florida State, losing Latson is a major hit: she not only carried the scoring load but also set school records, becoming just the third in ACC history to reach 2,000 career points in her first three seasons. The Seminoles now must retool and find a new go-to scorer and offensive focal point, a challenge in a loaded ACC landscape. The Gamecocks, on the flip side, land the country’s premier transfer scoring threat and reunite her with high-school teammate Raven Johnson — injecting elite shot-making into their backcourt. That addition alters South Carolina’s offensive identity, making them not only a defensive juggernaut as expected but also a serious scoring machine. Meanwhile, LSU picks up Fulwiley and positions her as a rising starter with big upside in a star-studded Tigers backcourt; this could substantially elevate LSU’s guard rotation heading into a crucial season.
From the players’ perspective, Latson and Fulwiley both stand to gain major career momentum. For Latson, moving to South Carolina means stepping into a Program of Championships under Dawn Staley, with deep national visibility and improved team infrastructure, which strengthens her WNBA draft profile and legacy prospects. Fulwiley, embarking on her junior season at LSU, gets a chance to expand her role from sixth-woman spark to primary contributor and floor general in a high-profile SEC‐centric spotlight. For both, the portal move is more than just a change of scenery, it’s a strategic launchpad. It signals readiness to win and to be seen, both for individual growth and program elevation. With the November tip-off around the corner, expect new storylines, new chemistry, and fresh title contenders.
