Mack Smith

Sophomore guard Salese Blow, junior guard Princess Anderson and forward Jayla Murray wait to be introduced as starters against Rice University. The trio combined for 25 points in the win against the Owls.

More than half of last season’s Wichita State women’s basketball roster has entered the transfer portal, a Wichita State spokesperson confirmed.

Eight players — freshman KP Parr, sophomores Salese Blow and Jordan Jackson, juniors Princess Anderson, Jayla Murray, and Jasmine Peaks and seniors Ornella Niankan and Aicha Ndour — are in the portal.

Just four players from last year will come back for the 2025-26 season: junior guard Kyleigh Ortiz, freshman guard Fiona Diomande and junior forwards Bre’Yon White and Maimouna Sissoko.

The returners represent 9% of WSU’s total scoring from last campaign and 13% of WSU’s minutes.

Newcomers

Head coach Terry Nooner will have work to do in the portal to replenish the roster. The Shockers have added two players in the portal already: graduate students Jaila Harding and Sophie Benharouga.

Harding, a Wichita native, averaged 8.4 points per game on 37% shooting for New Mexico State last year.

Benharouga has dealt with injury issues throughout her time in college. Wichita State will be her fourth college team. Benharouga, a forward, averaged 21.6 minutes per game and 8.4 points per game last year at Seattle University.

Wichita State also added junior college transfers Jaida McDonald from Pensacola State in Florida and Bella Belong from South Plains in Texas.

Departures

Murray, who was named to the Second Team All-American Athletic Conference this year, has already committed to Mississippi.

Murray was in Wichita for three seasons, increasing her scoring, rebounding and minutes per game averages each year. She led the Shockers in scoring and rebounding last year.

Blow was second on the team in scoring. The slasher guard started all 32 games for WSU last year, averaging 12.1 points per game on 36% shooting.

“Wichita State has generated a great experience these past two years, and I will always be grateful for the time I’ve spent here,” Blow wrote in a post announcing her departure on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Anderson was used primarily as a bench scorer last year. She started only five games and finished eighth on the team in minutes per game, but third in scoring at 9.4 per game.

Anderson was a threat from deep, shooting 30% from beyond the arc on 116 attempts. She played just one season in Wichita.

Ndour started nearly half of WSU’s games as a center. She finished fourth on the team in rebounding and blocked a team-high 34 shots.

It is unknown whether Ndour has received an additional year of eligibility. She will look for her fourth collegiate team after spending one year with the Shockers.

Niankan was a do-it-all glue girl for the team, starting 27 games and averaging 4.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. She was in Wichita for three years, seeing an improvement in playing time and output each season.

Parr’s entrance in the portal was a surprise, as the guard received solid playing time in her rookie year. She played in all 32 games, scoring 3.5 points and dishing 1.9 assists per game.

“I want to thank Coach Nooner and the entire WSU coaching staff for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to play the sport I love at the next level,” Parr wrote in a social media post. “I am forever grateful.”

Parr has committed to Texas State, according to On3.

Peaks was a key bench contributor last season. After transferring from junior college, Indian River State in Florida, over the offseason, she played 15.7 minutes and scored 2.8 points per game.

Peaks will play for Longwood next year, according to On3.

Jackson’s two years in Wichita were marred by injury. She redshirted the 2023-24 year due to an ACL tear and suffered more lingering injuries this year. In the end, she played 22 games and never found her shooting stroke, shooting 23% from the field and 15% from the 3-point line.