Kansas State guards Zyanna Walker, Brylee Glenn, Finley Ohnstad and forward Eliza Maupin have all entered the transfer portal since the Wildcats’ season ended in the Sweet 16.
Walker, a sophomore starter for the Wildcats, highlighted the portal entrances after playing a key role in the program’s first Sweet 16 in 23 years. She spent two seasons with the Wildcats after initially transferring from Louisville.
Walker was All-Big 12 defensive team this past season as she was often tasked with guarding the other teams’ best players. On offense, she tallied 8.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists, making 40.2% of shots in 26 minutes per game this year.
Finding someone comparable in the portal may be a need for K-State as she provided top tier defense, and next season would most likely have been expected to take a step forward as a point guard with the departure of All-American senior Serena Sundell.
Guard Brylee Glenn, twin sister to senior guard Jaelyn Glenn, also entered her name into the transfer portal. Glenn started three years with the Wildcats but redshirted this past season due to the depth of the ‘Cats roster. Glenn averaged 7.6 points per game during her three seasons playing.
Forward Eliza Maupin was the first Wildcat to enter her name into the portal after the season. Maupin spent three years as a Wildcat but struggled to play many minutes due to the talent of other K-State bigs.
Maupin has great athleticism and runs the floor really well at 6-foot-3, making her dangerous in transition. Maupin was a solid role player for K-State but will look for a bigger role at her new school.
Lastly, freshman guard Finley Ohnstad entered the portal after her freshman season, in which she redshirted. Ohnstad is from Minnesota and will have four years of eligibility for her new team.
Roster continuity was big for K-State recently in the era of the transfer portal, keeping the core of Ayoka Lee, Sundell and Jaelyn Glenn together while adding a few transfers each year.
However, with K-State losing those three to graduation and the four transfers, adding more emphasis on the transfer portal will be important for the ‘Cats to remain competitive next season.
K-State’s track record of transfers found is solid as this past year the Wildcats signed forwards Temira Poindexter and Kennedy Taylor, who both played big roles on the team. Taylor and forward Gisela Sanchez need waivers approved by the NCAA to return for another season.
Guard Taryn Sides confirmed she will be returning next season after she had a breakout sophomore campaign. K-State also boasts a star-studded high school recruiting class but will need some veteran experience to complete the team.
Lee to forgo WNBA
After K-State’s Sweet 16, Lee told the Collegian she was not ready to decide on the future of her basketball career, however, she announced on Thursday that she will be forgoing the WNBA Draft.
“It has been an absolute honor to represent this university for the last seven years,” Lee said. “When I arrived at K-State, I was a 17-year-old who felt like I had to prove myself but never imagined I would accomplish all that I have. Through the highest highs and the lowest lows, I always knew I was supported not only by my close circle but also by our incredible fan base.
“Though I would be doing myself an injustice by not admitting that it came with a lot of obstacles, moments of questioning and moments of having to endure injuries that made me want to give up. From these experiences, I’ve learned that I am capable of more than I think I am, but also that it’s important to listen to what your body whispers to you before it begins to scream at you. For this reason, I’ve decided to forgo the draft and explore this next season of life apart from basketball.”
Lee is a family therapist who is already seeing clients and is currently working to gain her master’s in personal finance planning. It will combine a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in couples and family therapy.
Lee will go down as one of the best players in Kansas State history. Her jersey will undoubtedly be retired in the rafters at Bramalge one day, joining her 61-point performance banner that commemorates the NCAA record for points in a game.
