Oregon State has had an interesting journey back to the NCAA Tournament this year, despite significant changes to their roster. The team that reached the regional finals against South Carolina last year is back again, but this time without any of their starters as teammates. Only AJ Marotte remains at Oregon State, while the rest have transferred elsewhere following the breakup of the Pac-12.
Marotte is now instrumental in Oregon State’s success, which saw them secure an automatic NCAA bid by defeating top-seeded Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference Tournament. The other former starters have found success in new teams: Raegan Beers at Oklahoma, Timea Gardiner at UCLA, Talia von Oelhoffen at Southern California, and Donovyn Hunter at TCU.
The players have excelled in their new environments. Gardiner mainly comes off the bench for UCLA, contributing to its 30-2 record as the top seed in the NCAA Tournament. Von Oelhoffen has been essential for USC, proving crucial in handing UCLA its only two losses of the season. Hunter has been an asset for TCU, which claimed a No. 2 seed after winning the Big 12 Tournament. Meanwhile, Beers’s performance has been pivotal for Oklahoma, helping them achieve a No. 3 seed.
Those who stayed at Oregon State, like Marotte and teammate Kelsey Rees, have thrived, becoming the team’s top scorers. Rees is leading the team with averages of 12.8 points and 7.6 rebounds, while Marotte contributes 11.4 points per game. Oregon State will face a challenging first-round match against North Carolina.
The changes in the roster reflect a broader trend in college basketball, where players frequently change universities using the transfer portal. This year’s roster movements are a testimony to the increasing dynamism and mobility in college sports.
Several players will participate in their second consecutive NCAA Tournament but with different teams, showcasing the frequent changes through the transfer portal.
Georgia Amoore, formerly of Virginia Tech, now plays for Kentucky, following her former coach to a new program. She has been an outstanding player, ranked third in Division I for assists. Kaitlyn Chen has moved from Princeton to UConn, making all 34 starts for her new team. Kiki Iriafen is representing Southern California after her time at Stanford, and she has been a standout player, averaging strong points and rebounds.
Deja Kelly, who transferred from North Carolina to Oregon, continues to display her skills, now playing an essential role with the Ducks. Hailey Van Lith is experiencing her third program change, having played at LSU and Louisville before now representing TCU.
Kayla Williams transferred from Southern California to California, where she has become a key player, potentially facing her old team if California progresses past their first round.
This movement among players underscores the ever-evolving landscape of NCAA basketball, where opportunities across the country are continually reshaping team dynamics and adding new dimensions to the tournament landscape.
