Kansas State forwards Imani Lester and Gisela Sanchez entered their names into the transfer portal this week, joining a long list of K-State players leaving.
Lester was the first of the two to enter the portal after two years of being a solid defender and rebounder during her time in Manhattan. As a role player behind bigs Ayoka Lee and Kennedy Taylor, Lester averaged 2.4 points and 2.7 rebounds this year.
Lester transferred to K-State from Louisville, where she played with guard Zyanna Walker. Both Lester and Walker entered their names in the transfer portal after one year at Louisville and are now doing the same after two years with the ‘Cats.
Gisela Sanchez entered her name in the transfer portal after two seasons with the Wildcats, where she was also a solid role player off the bench. Sanchez is an all-around offensive player that can score at all three levels. Sanchez transferred from Arizona and is now back in the portal with one season of eligibility left.
With Sanchez and Lester leaving, it leaves guard Taryn Sides as the only returning player who played minutes on last year’s team. Taylor may have a possibility to return if she is granted a waiver for an additional season.
The first transfer of the year for head coach Jeff Mittie and the Wildcats is center Ramiya White, a freshman transfer from Virginia Tech. The 6-foot-5 center brings size to the Wildcats that they will need to replace with the departure of their bigs, primarily Lee.
White averaged 1.4 points per game in a small role last year at Virginia Tech. The Wildcats initially liked White out of high school, recruiting her as a high school prospect.
While White is the first transfer for next season, she isn’t the first commit for the Wildcats in the offseason, as they gained a commitment from forward Brandie Harrod, who was initially committed to Auburn.
Harrod is a four-star prospect and joins an already highly-ranked K-State high school recruiting class of five-star guard Jordan Speiser, four-star guard Aniya Foy and overseas Spaniard guard Gina Garcia Safont.
