Former Top Recruit Bella Hines Leaves LSU for TCU

The New Mexico native announced her transfer to the Horned Frogs after limited playing time with the Tigers

Apr. 12, 2026 at 10:08pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fragmented action of a women's basketball game, with sharp planes of color and overlapping shapes representing the dynamic movements of the players on the court.Hines' transfer to TCU adds to the roster upheaval facing the LSU women's basketball program this offseason.Baton Rouge Today

Former LSU Tigers guard Bella Hines, a top-25 recruit in the 2025 class, has announced her commitment to transfer to TCU after playing sparingly in her true freshman season with the Tigers. Hines, a 5-foot-10 combo guard from Albuquerque, averaged just 4.2 points per game and becomes the third member of LSU's 2025-26 roster to enter the transfer portal this offseason.

Why it matters

Hines' departure is the latest blow to the LSU women's basketball program, which has seen several key players leave the team via the transfer portal this offseason. Head coach Kim Mulkey will need to rebuild the roster and replace the production of departing stars like Flau'jae Johnson and Amiya Joyner.

The details

Hines signed with LSU as a top-25 recruit in the 2025 class but struggled to earn consistent playing time as a true freshman. She announced her intent to enter the transfer portal this week, despite previous statements that she would remain with the Tigers for the 2025-26 season. Hines now joins fellow 2025 signee Divine Bourrage and senior guard Kailyn Gilbert as LSU players who have entered the portal this offseason.

  • Hines announced her transfer commitment to TCU on April 12, 2026.
  • Hines entered the NCAA transfer portal earlier this week.

The players

Bella Hines

A 5-foot-10 combo guard from Albuquerque, New Mexico who signed with LSU as a top-25 recruit in the 2025 class but played sparingly as a true freshman, averaging 4.2 points per game.

Kim Mulkey

The head coach of the LSU women's basketball team, who will need to rebuild the roster this offseason amid several key departures via the transfer portal.

Divine Bourrage

A 2025 signee for LSU who has also entered the transfer portal this offseason.

Kailyn Gilbert

A senior guard for LSU who has entered the transfer portal this offseason.

Flau'jae Johnson

A departing LSU player whose eligibility has expired.

Amiya Joyner

A departing LSU player whose eligibility has expired.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not retiring. I plan to hire two coaches quickly. I plan to get in the portal and get two or three more players and take a little time off, go see my grandchildren, who actually flew in and got in late and didn't even see the game. But I'll get to visit with them tonight in the hotel.”

— Kim Mulkey, Head Coach, LSU Women's Basketball

What’s next

Mulkey and the LSU coaching staff will look to rebuild the roster through the transfer portal, having already landed a commitment from Florida's Laila Reynolds.

The takeaway

Hines' departure is the latest in a series of offseason roster moves for the LSU women's basketball program, which will need to replace several key contributors as it looks to reload for the 2026-27 season under head coach Kim Mulkey.