It seems like Kateri Poole and Angelica Velez, both former LSU women’s basketball guards, have made their decisions regarding their collegiate careers. Kateri Poole, who was part of LSU’s 2023 NCAA tournament starting lineup, is transferring to Houston, while Angelica Velez, who played sparingly during her freshman year in 2024, is set to transfer as well.
Poole’s journey includes a previous transfer from Ohio State to LSU, where she became an integral part of the Tigers’ national championship-winning team in 2023. Velez, originally from The Bronx, New York, was a highly touted recruit but didn’t see much playing time during her freshman season, mostly appearing in blowout games.
LSU has experienced a significant exodus to the transfer portal, losing four players including Poole and Velez. Hailey Van Lith is heading to TCU, while Janae Kent is transferring to Texas A&M. However, LSU’s coaching staff has been proactive in recruiting new talent, bringing in transfers from Miami, Arizona, Mississippi State, and Arkansas to bolster the team. With these additions and incoming freshman Jada Richard, LSU’s roster is now at 12 scholarship players, just three below the NCAA limit.
The deadline for players to enter the transfer portal was Wednesday, indicating that these decisions were made just before the cutoff.