Michigan State Women's Basketball Roster Shifts as Offseason Begins

Spartans look to reload after historic Big Ten title run

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:22am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented women's basketball game, with overlapping planes of green and white representing the Michigan State Spartans.Michigan State's women's basketball program faces a pivotal offseason as it looks to rebuild its roster and maintain its status as a Big Ten contender.Los Angeles Today

The 2025-26 women's basketball season came to a close when UCLA won the national championship, giving the Big Ten its first title since 1999. With the offseason now underway, Michigan State's roster is in flux as the Spartans look to build on their historic conference championship run.

Why it matters

Michigan State's women's basketball program has been on the rise in recent years, culminating in the team's first Big Ten title since 2005. However, the Spartans now face key roster decisions and potential departures as they aim to maintain their status as a conference contender.

The details

The Spartans are expected to lose several key contributors from their championship squad, including leading scorer Jasmine Washington and veteran point guard Aliyah Mathis. Head coach Suzy Merchant will need to navigate the transfer portal and recruit effectively to reload the roster for next season.

  • The 2025-26 women's basketball season ended on April 5, 2026 when UCLA won the national championship.
  • The offseason and transfer portal opened immediately following the conclusion of the season.

The players

Jasmine Washington

Michigan State's leading scorer from the 2025-26 season, expected to depart via the transfer portal.

Aliyah Mathis

Veteran point guard for the Spartans, also expected to leave the program this offseason.

Suzy Merchant

Head coach of the Michigan State women's basketball team, tasked with rebuilding the roster for next season.

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What they’re saying

“We have some big holes to fill, but I'm confident in our ability to reload and compete at a high level again next year.”

— Suzy Merchant, Head Coach, Michigan State Women's Basketball

What’s next

Michigan State will need to be active in the transfer portal and on the recruiting trail in the coming months to assemble a competitive roster for the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

Michigan State's women's basketball program has reached new heights, but the Spartans now face the challenge of maintaining their status as a Big Ten contender with key roster turnover this offseason.