Where LSU WBB ranks in On3's Way-Too-Early Top 25

With a majority of the transfer portal movement in the rearview, teams have begun to settle in on their rosters for next season — especially at the top. On3’s Talia Goodman released her initial way-too-early rankings for the 2025-26 season, several months out from the teams even beginning practices together. Still, the rosters are mostly done and we can begin to make assumptions.

LSU is now at 12 scholarship players and we wait to see if the Tigers are done or if they are in the market for another big in the coming weeks. In the meantime, Goodman has the Tigers ranked at No. 5 in mid-May, behind the four teams who made the Final Four last year.

LSU lost Aneesah Morrow, but has the No. 1 freshman recruiting class in the country coming in and has added MiLaysia Fulwiley, Kate Koval, and Amiya Joyner to it’s already strong core of Flau’Jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams, among others. The Tigers are set to compete with anyone in the country once again, but the aspirations for Kim Mulkey are higher this year after back-to-back Elite Eight losses.

Starting at No. 5 is a fine spot in May, but Mulkey knows there’s work to do on the court with the depth of talent the Tigers will have next year.

Goodman’s Full Rankings

1. South Carolina

Departed or expected to depart: Sakima Walker (1.4 PPG), MiLaysia Fulwiley (11.7 PPG), Te-Hina Paopao (9.4 PPG), Sania Feagin (8.1 PPG), Bree Hall (6.3 PPG)

Expected to return: Joyce Edwards (12.7 PPG), Chloe Kitts (10.2 PPG), Ashlyn Watkins (7.2 PPG), Raven Johnson (4.9 PPG), Maddy McDaniel (3.1 PPG), Maryam Dauda (2 PPG), Adhel Tac (1.6 PPG), Tessa Johnson (8.4 PPG)

Incoming transfers: Ta’Niya Latson (25.2 PPG at Florida State), Madina Okot (11.3 PPG at Mississippi State)

Incoming freshmen: Agot Makeer (5-star), Ayla McDowell (5-star)

2. UConn

Departed or expected to depart: Qadence Samuels (1.3 PPG), Kaitlyn Chen (6.9 PPG), Paige Bueckers (19.9 PPG), Aubrey Griffin (4.4 PPG)

Expected to return: Azzi Fudd (13.6 PPG), Caroline Ducharme (1.2 PPG), KK Arnold (5.5 PPG), Ashlynn Shade (7.7 PPG), Ice Brady (3.6 PPG), Ayanna Patterson, Jana El Alfy (5 PPG), Morgan Cheli (2.5 PPG), Allie Ziebell (2.8 PPG), Sarah Strong (16.4 PPG)

Incoming transfers: Serah Williams (19.2 PPG)

Incoming freshmen: Kelis Fisher (5-star), Blanca Quinonez, Gandy Malou-Mamel (4-star)

3. Texas

Departed or expected to depart: Abbie Boutilier (DNP), Jordana Codio (1.4 PPG), Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda (5.6 PPG), Laila Phelia (16.8 PPG – 2023-24 with Michigan), Taylor Jones (11.9 PPG), Shay Holle (6.2 PPG)

Expected to return: Madison Booker (16.3 PPG), Rori Harmon (9.3 PPG), Kyla Oldacre (8.8 PPG), Jordan Lee (5.8 PPG), Justice Carlton (5 PPG), Bryanna Preston (4.4 PPG), Sarah Graves (0.2 PPG – 9 games), Aaliyah Moore (7.9 PPG)

Incoming transfers: Teya Sidberry (12.5 PPG at Boston College), Breya Cunningham (11 PPG at Arizona), Ashton Judd (11.6 PPG at Missouri), Lovisa Asbrink Hose (3.4 PPG at FAU)

Incoming freshmen: Aaliyah Crump (5-star)

4. UCLA

Departed or expected to depart: Avary Cain (1.5 PPG), Zania Socka-Nguemen (1.5 PPG), Kendall Dudley (1.9 PPG), Elina Aarnisalo (5.1 PPG), Janiah Barker (7.4 PPG), Londynn Jones (8.5 PPG)

Expected to return: Lauren Betts (20.2 PPG), Kiki Rice (12.8 PPG), Gabriela Jaquez (9.6 PPG), Timea Gardiner (7.6 PPG), Angela Dugalic (7.4 PPG), Charlisse Leger-Walker (16.6 PPG at Washington State in 2023-24)

Incoming transfers: Gianna Kneepkens (19.3 PPG at Utah)

Incoming freshmen: Lena Bilic, Sienna Betts (5-star)

5. LSU

Departed or expected to depart: Amani Bartlett (0.6 PPG), Last-Tear Poa (2 PPG), Aalyah Del Rosario (2 PPG), Mjracle Sheppard (3.9 PPG), Jersey Wolfenbarger (4.6 PPG), Sa’Myah Smith (6.6 PPG), Aneesah Morrow (18.7 PPG), Shayeann Day-Wilson (3.5 PPG)

Expected to return: Flau’jae Johnson (18.6 PPG), Mikaylah Williams (17.3 PPG), Kailyn Gilbert (9.1 PPG), Jada Richard (2.8 PPG), Izzy Besselman (0.3 PPG – 2023-24)

Incoming transfers: Kate Koval (5.3 PPG at Notre Dame), MiLaysia Fulwiley (11.7 PPG at South Carolina), Amiya Joyner (15 PPG at East Carolina)

Incoming freshmen: Grace Knox (5-star), ZaKiyah Johnson (5-star), Divine Bourrage (5-star), Bella Hines (4-star), Meghan Yarnevich

6. Duke

Departed or expected to depart: Jenessa Cotton (1 PPG – 8 games), Louann Battiston (1.3 PPG), Vanessa de Jesus (3.1 PPG), Oluchi Okananwa (10.1 PPG), Reigan Richardson (8.8 PPG)

Expected to return: Taina Mair (6.7 PPG), Emma Koabel (1.5 PPG), Ashlon Jackson (12.4 PPG), Jadyn Donovan (5.1 PPG), Jordan Wood (4.1 PPG), Delaney Thomas (7.1 PPG), Riley Nelson (5.1 PPG in 2023-24 with Maryland), Toby Fournier (13.2 PPG)

Incoming transfers: N/A

Incoming freshmen: Emilee Skinner (5-star)

7. Tennessee

Departed or expected to depart: Favor Ayodele (1 PPG), Destinee Wells (1.3 PPG – 9 games), Avery Strickland (1.9 PPG), Jewel Spear (12.5 PPG), Samara Spencer (10.6 PPG), Tess Darby (6.4 PPG), Sara Puckett (4.6 PPG), Jillian Hollingshead (3.4 PPG)

Expected to return: Talaysia Cooper (16.6 PPG), Zee Spearman (11.7 PPG), Ruby Whitehorn (11.6 PPG), Kaniya Boyd (4 PPG), Alyssa Latham (3.9 PPG), Edie Darby (1.8 PPG), Kaiya Wynn (4.4 PPG – 2023-24)

Incoming transfers: Nya Robertson (18.5 PPG at SMU), Janiah Barker (7.4 PPG at UCLA), Jersey Wolfenbarger (4.6 PPG at LSU)

Incoming freshmen: Mia Pauldo (5-star), Mya Pauldo (4-star), Jaida Civil (5-star), Deniya Prawl (5-star), Lauren Hurst (4-star)

8. Oklahoma

Departed or expected to depart: Landry Allen (1.8 PPG), Kiersten Johnson (2.2 PPG), Reyna Scott (4.8 PPG), Skylar Vann (9.9 PPG), Liz Scott (6.8 PPG), Lexy Keys (5.3 PPG), Nevaeh Tot (2.7 PPG), Aubrey Joens (2.2 PPG)

Expected to return: Sahara Williams (10.6 PPG), Raegan Beers (17.3 PPG), Zya Vann (6.9 PPG), Beatrice Culliton (1.9 PPG), Caya Smith (1.2 PPG), Payton Verhulst (14.9 PPG)

Incoming transfers: N/A

Incoming freshmen: Aaliyah Chavez (5-star), Keziah Lofton (4-star), Brooklyn Stewart (4-star)

9. North Carolina

Departed or expected to depart: Trayanna Crisp (5.6 PPG), Grace Townsend (4.2 PPG), Lexi Donarski (10.7 PPG), Alyssa Ustby (10.9 PPG), Maria Gakdeng (10.8 PPG)

Expected to return: Kayla McPherson (4.7 PPG in 2023-24), Indya Nivar (8.3 PPG), Reniya Kelly (9.6 PPG), Sydney Barker (1.7 PPG), Lanie Grant (7.3 PPG), Jordan Zubich (1.5 PPG), Laila Hull (2.6 PPG), Ciera Toomey (3.2 PPG), Blanca Thomas (2.4 PPG)

Incoming transfers: Elina Aarnisalo (5.1 PPG at UCLA), Nyla Harris (8.6 PPG at Louisville)

Incoming freshmen: Nyla Brooks (5-star), Taissa Queiroz (4-star), Taliyah Henderson (5-star)

10. Michigan

Departed or expected to depart: Yulia Grabovskaia (5.3 PPG), Jordan Hobbs (13.6 PPG PPG), Greta Kampschroeder (6.8 PPG)

Expected to return: Olivia Olson (16.3 PPG), Syla Swords (16 PPG), Mila Holloway (9.8 PPG), Brooke Daniels (4.4 PPG), Te’Yala Delfosse (3.4 PPG), Macy Brown (2 PPG), Alyssa Crockett (0.8 PPG), Aaiyanna Dunbar (0.8 PPG), Ally VanTimmeren (2.1 PPG)

Incoming transfers: Kendall Dudley (1.9 PPG at UCLA), Ashley Sofilkanich (19.7 PPG at Bucknell)

Incoming freshmen: McKenzie Mathurin (4-star), Jessica Fields (4-star), Ciara Byars (4-star)

11. NC State

12. Michigan State

13. Iowa State

14. Vanderbilt

15. Washington

16. Iowa

17. Minnesota

18. Kentucky

19. Louisville

20. TCU

21. Ohio State

22. Ole Miss

23. Kansas State

24. Maryland

25. Notre Dame

We’re less than six months away from the start of the 2025-26 womens college basketball season.

After (most of) the portal madness, here’s my current preseason Top 25 for @On3sports.

READ: https://t.co/eRiXnwbwip pic.twitter.com/cAjT06OsMv

— Talia Goodman (@TaliaGoodmanWBB) May 19, 2025