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Women's Final Four teams reflect on the transfer portal's impact
Nearly all Final Four transfers came from Power Four schools as teams reload with portal talent and name, image and likeness money.
- This year's women's Final Four reflects the transfer portal's impact, with the same four teams reaching the semifinals as in 2025—a feat last seen in 1995-96.
- Power Four schools increasingly recruit talent from each other rather than mid-major programs, shifting recruiting dynamics fundamentally. Nearly all transfers joining Final Four teams originated from power conferences.
- UCLA coach Cori Close integrated transfers Gianna Kneepkels and Charlisse Leger-Walker into her roster, viewing the portal as finding the "right fit." Close emphasized teams can succeed with contributors from various levels.
- UConn coach Geno Auriemma, who won 12 NCAA titles, cautioned that "you can't buy a championship," arguing the portal and revenue share contributed to the "death of the mid-majors."
- Monday marks the transfer portal's opening, the day after the championship game concludes. Name, image, and likeness money is expected to dominate coaching negotiations as Final Four teams prepare roster moves.
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How the transfer portal has impacted teams in the 2026 Final Four
As the transfer portal transforms college basketball, each Final Four contender is using it to find a distinct formula for success The post How the transfer portal has impacted each team remaining in the Final Four appeared first on The IX Sports.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources20
Leaning Left7Leaning Right1Center10Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Center
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources are Center
56% Center
L 39%
C 56%
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