ACC women's basketball preview: Top transfers

The women’s college basketball season is now one month away, which means it’s time to start diving into some preseason coverage. The ACC will be the first league we break down at On3, with others to come in the following weeks.

To kick things off, we start by showcasing the league’s top transfers in.

KHAMIL PIERRE, NC State

20.4 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 2.9 SPG at Vanderbilt

Khamil Pierre was the latest blockbuster addition for any women’s college basketball team this year. Following a late entry to the portal, it was unclear if she’d be able to play this season. Luckily for the Wolfpack, she’ll be able to suit up this season and will certainly make an impact from the jump. Pierre was the versatile missing piece NC State needed to add in the post. 

SKYLAR JONES, Louisville

10.7 PPG, 1.6 SPG at Arizona

Louisville fell right in the middle of the pack last season when it came to their perimeter shooting. Adding Skylar Jones, an experienced guard who’s really improved her 3-point percentage, gives the Cardinals a strong option from beyond the line.  

NYLA HARRIS, North Carolina

8.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG at Louisville

After losing Alyssa Ustby and Maria Gakdeng to graduation, North Carolina was in need of a proven scorer in the post and a strong rebounder. Nyla Harris fills that role with ease. In her sophomore season at Louisville, with her highest usage rate, Harris was an efficient double-digit scorer who excels at grabbing offensive boards. She knows the ACC well and will likely resume a starting role at UNC. 

RA SHAYA KYLE, Miami

14.1 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 59% FG at Florida

Miami now has plenty of options in the frontcourt, but Ra Shaya Kyle was the perfect addition for the Canes. There aren’t many 6-6 players in women’s basketball to begin with and she’s been a hassle to defend, shooting 59% from the field last season. 

IYANA MOORE, Notre Dame

12.4 PPG, 2.7 APG, 1.1 SPG at Vanderbilt

Notre Dame will be far from the deepest team next season, but after several portal departures and graduating seniors, Hannah Hidalgo needed help and the Irish got it. Iyana Moore is an experienced scorer and a relentless defender. She’ll complement Hidalgo well. 

GAL RAVIV, Miami

17.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.4 SPG at Quinnipiac

Gal Raviv excelled at Quinnipiac last season and the Canes, who witnessed her versatility firsthand, were able to land the talented guard. She can shoot the ball at a high clip, has elite court vision and an ability to impact the game in a variety of ways. 

LAURA ZIEGLER, Louisville

17.5 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 4.3 APG at Saint Joseph’s

Louisville also landed one of the best players in mid-major basketball. Laura Ziegler is an absolute swiss army knife, with the ability to facilitate, shoot the ball and disrupt on defense. 

SA’MYAH SMITH, Virginia

6.6 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.4 BPG at LSU

Not only does Sa’Myah Smith add talent to the Cavaliers’ frontcourt, but she brings winning experience. Smith was a freshman when LSU won the national championship – and she was a significant part of getting the Tigers there during the tournament. She’ll add a strong defensive presence and a capable inside scoring threat for Virginia. 

RACHAEL ROSE, Clemson

22.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 5.4 APG, 2.1 SPG at Wofford in 2023-24

Rachael Rose, like Ziegler, has been one of the best players in mid-major basketball over the past few years. Clemson head coach Shawn Poppie, who used to be the head coach at Chattanooga, has gone up against Rose before in SoCon play and clearly liked what he saw.  In 2023-24, she was dominant. Last season, she suffered an injury six games into the year that kept her sidelined for the remainder of the season. If Rose can stay healthy, she could be dangerous. 

LAILA PHELIA, Syracuse

16.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.2 SPG at Michigan in 2023-24

If Laila Phelia can return to the form she was in at Michigan, opposing defenses are going to have their hands full. Phelia was a star through three seasons with the Wolverines and opted to transfer to Texas for her senior season. Just a few games into the year, though, she decided to redshirt due to an eye injury. With one more season of eligibility, if Phelia can stay healthy, she might be the most underrated get of the portal cycle.  

PAULINA PARIS, SMU

8.3 PPG, 1.5 SPG at Arizona

Although staying with the same coaching staff, bringing Paulina Paris to SMU was a homerun addition for Adia Barnes. She knows her system, saw an expanded role last season at Arizona and provides a veteran presence, aiding in building chemistry amongst more than a dozen newcomers.