IU starting point guard Nevaeh Caffey to enter portal

Hoosiers lose key freshman as sixth player to hit transfer market

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:36pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fragmented elements of a women's basketball game, with sharp planes of navy, crimson, and gold representing the upheaval facing Indiana's program.The departure of star point guard Nevaeh Caffey leaves Indiana's women's basketball team facing a fractured roster and an uncertain future.Warrenton Today

Indiana women's basketball freshman Nevaeh Caffey, the team's starting point guard last season, is planning to enter the transfer portal. Caffey was a key piece for the Hoosiers, starting all 32 games and averaging 8.5 points, 2.5 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game. Her departure leaves a glaring void at the point guard position for Indiana, which now has only three returning starters for the 2026-27 season.

Why it matters

Caffey's decision to transfer is a significant blow for the Indiana women's basketball program, which is already dealing with the loss of five other players to the portal. As a highly touted recruit and a key contributor as a freshman, Caffey's departure leaves a major hole in the Hoosiers' lineup and roster depth heading into next season.

The details

Caffey, a native of Warrenton, Missouri, was named Miss Show-Me Basketball in 2025 prior to arriving at Indiana. She started all 32 games for the Hoosiers as a freshman, displaying promising defensive potential in addition to her offensive production. However, Caffey has now decided to enter the transfer portal, joining five other IU players who have already done so.

  • Caffey entered the transfer portal on March 30, 2026.

The players

Nevaeh Caffey

A freshman point guard who started all 32 games for Indiana last season, averaging 8.5 points, 2.5 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game.

Teri Moren

The head coach of the Indiana women's basketball team, who now has to replace Caffey and five other players who have entered the transfer portal.

Ashlinn James

An incoming freshman for Indiana who has the potential to step into the point guard role, but it's unclear if she would be immediately ready to take over that position.

Maya Makalusky

One of the three returning starters for Indiana next season, along with Lenée Beaumont and Zania Socka-Nguemen.

Lenée Beaumont

One of the three returning starters for Indiana next season, along with Maya Makalusky and Zania Socka-Nguemen.

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What they’re saying

“Caffey becomes the sixth IU player to hit the portal, along with Phoenix Stotijn, Faith Wiseman, Jade Ondineme, Chloe Spreen, and Edessa Noyan. But the Warrenton, Mo. native is — by far — the most significant of that group of six.”

— Seth Tow, Author

What’s next

It remains to be seen where Caffey will land after entering the transfer portal, and how Indiana will replace her production and leadership at the point guard position. The Hoosiers will need to quickly identify a solution, either through the transfer market or by relying on incoming freshman Ashlinn James, in order to be competitive in the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

Caffey's decision to transfer is a major setback for the Indiana women's basketball program, which is already dealing with significant roster turnover. The Hoosiers will need to act quickly to fill the void at point guard and rebuild their lineup for the upcoming season, as they look to maintain their status as a top contender in the Big Ten.