Kansas State Women's Basketball Faces Roster Turnover

Wildcats look to retain young talent while adding new pieces for NCAA Tournament contention

Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:04am

Kansas State women's basketball is navigating the transfer portal period, hoping to retain promising young players while also adding new talent to the roster. Head coach Jeff Mittie is looking to build on the team's recent success, which included a run to the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament and a second-round appearance in the Women's Basketball Invitational. The Wildcats are aiming to return to the NCAA Tournament after reaching the Sweet 16 with a veteran-heavy roster in 2025.

Why it matters

Roster turnover is a critical part of college basketball, as teams look to reload with new talent while also retaining key players from previous seasons. For Kansas State, maintaining continuity with their young core while adding complementary pieces will be crucial to the program's long-term success and NCAA Tournament aspirations.

The details

The Wildcats finished 19-18 in the 2025-26 season and are now facing decisions on which players will stay and which will depart via the transfer portal. Two notable departures so far include Brylee Foy, a four-star recruit who averaged 4.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per game, and Izela Arenas, the daughter of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, who averaged 6.7 points in 24 appearances off the bench.

  • Kansas State's 2025-26 season ended with a second-round loss in the Women's Basketball Invitational Tournament.
  • The Wildcats are now in the midst of the transfer portal period, where players can enter their names and potentially depart the program.

The players

Jeff Mittie

The head coach of the Kansas State women's basketball team, who is looking to retain key players and add new talent to the roster.

Brylee Foy

A four-star recruit who played in 36 games and started one for Kansas State, averaging 4.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.

Izela Arenas

The daughter of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, who averaged 6.7 points in 24 appearances off the bench for Kansas State in her lone season with the team after transferring from Louisville.

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What’s next

The Wildcats will continue to monitor the transfer portal and make roster decisions in the coming weeks, with the goal of retaining their young core while adding new pieces to help the team return to the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Roster turnover is a constant challenge for college basketball programs, and Kansas State is no exception. The Wildcats' ability to navigate the transfer portal and retain their promising young talent will be crucial to their long-term success and their quest to return to the NCAA Tournament.