Syracuse Transfer Sophie Burrows Commits to UNC

Burrows, an ACC veteran, will join the Tar Heels after three seasons with the Orange.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 1:36am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a women's basketball player in motion, with the colors of the UNC Tar Heels and Syracuse Orange uniforms overlapping in a fractured, multi-perspective style.The dynamic transfer of Sophie Burrows from Syracuse to UNC represents a shifting landscape in women's college basketball.Stillwater Today

Sophie Burrows, a standout guard who spent her first three college seasons at Syracuse, has committed to transfer to the University of North Carolina. Burrows, originally from Australia, has been a consistent starter for the Orange and brings valuable ACC experience to the Tar Heels.

Why it matters

Burrows' commitment is a significant boost for the UNC women's basketball program, as they look to build on their success and compete at the highest level in the ACC. Her scoring, shooting, and defensive abilities will be a welcome addition to the Tar Heels' roster.

The details

Burrows, a 6-foot guard, started 65 games for Syracuse over the past three seasons. As a sophomore, she had her most productive season, averaging 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 39.6% from three-point range. While her scoring and shooting numbers dipped slightly as a junior, Burrows helped lead the Orange to a 24-9 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance. She has also represented Australia on the international stage, playing in the U18 Women's Asian Championship and the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup.

  • Burrows committed to UNC on Saturday, April 12, 2026.
  • She spent her first three college seasons at Syracuse from 2023-24 to 2025-26.

The players

Sophie Burrows

A 6-foot guard who spent her first three college seasons at Syracuse, where she was a consistent starter and helped lead the Orange to the NCAA Tournament as a junior. Burrows is originally from Australia and has also represented her national team on the international stage.

Achol Akot

A former standout at Oklahoma State, Akot committed to UNC out of the transfer portal on Friday, joining Burrows as the second transfer to commit to the Tar Heels in the 2026 cycle.

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What they’re saying

“Sophie Burrows is a proven player at the ACC level, and her experience and skill set will be a great addition to our program. We're excited to welcome her to Chapel Hill and see what she can accomplish as a Tar Heel.”

— Courtney Banghart, UNC Women's Basketball Head Coach

What’s next

Burrows will join the UNC women's basketball team for the 2026-27 season and will look to make an immediate impact as the Tar Heels aim to compete for an ACC championship and a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

The addition of Sophie Burrows, an experienced and talented guard from the ACC, is a significant coup for the UNC women's basketball program. Her scoring, shooting, and defensive abilities will bolster the Tar Heels' roster and help them continue their ascent in the conference and national landscape.