The West Virginia women’s basketball roster is set for significant changes next season. In addition to losing three starters to graduation, the team will also have to replace forward, who has announced her decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal with two years of eligibility left.
During her freshman year, Thomas played in every game and averaged a little over 16 minutes per outing. However, her playing time decreased this past season, dropping to 11.5 minutes per game.
Thomas’s decision follows a challenging sophomore campaign shaped by factors beyond her control. The addition of Kierra Wheeler via the transfer portal last offseason gave the team a dominant rebounder and a key scoring presence, while injuries forced Thomas to miss part of the season, further limiting her time on the court.
A former four-star recruit, Thomas had committed to West Virginia after Kellogg’s first year in Morgantown. With her anticipated departure, the Mountaineers are left with just two forwards on the roster—Carter McCray and Riley Makalusky—both of whom saw increased playing time and appeared in more games during Thomas’s absence.
Even after a strong team season and Wheeler’s decision to enter the WNBA Draft, Thomas has chosen to enter the transfer portal, likely in search of a better opportunity to secure a starting role elsewhere.
Mark Kellogg will have to work his transfer portal magic again this offseason
Between graduation and the transfer portal, the WVU women’s basketball team is set to lose at least six players this offseason. However, Mountaineer fans should keep their expectations high given the success that Kellogg has had in the transfer portal during his tenure.
The senior class of Jordan Harrison, Sydney Shaw, Sydney Woodley, Kierra Wheeler, and Cece Rivière was all brought into the program through the transfer portal.
This makes sense for a coach like Kellogg, who values a certain type of aggressive defensive player. All of his transfers have fit this mold so far, and there should be no expectation of a change to that philosophy anytime soon.
Thomas’s departure brings up an interesting question. Who will the Mountaineers get to supplement her role? Wheeler brought a physicality and rebounding ability to the Mountaineers that we had not seen under Kellogg. After her success in Morgantown, it would not be shocking to see Kellogg put more of an emphasis on the interior this offseason.
