TCU women's basketball lands another transfer from a Big 12 rival

The Horned Frogs have added their fourth transfer commitment this week with the addition of Utah guard Avery Hjelmstad.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:48am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action of a women's basketball game, with sharp planes of TCU's purple and white colors overlapping Utah's red and white hues.A cubist interpretation of the competitive energy between TCU and Utah women's basketball programs as they battle for top talent in the transfer portal.Today in Tulsa

TCU women's basketball has landed another transfer-portal commitment, adding Utah freshman guard Avery Hjelmstad to their roster. Hjelmstad, a 6-foot-1 player who averaged 5.3 points and 1.7 rebounds per game for the Utes last season, joins a transfer class that includes players from Oklahoma State, North Carolina, and Stanford.

Why it matters

TCU is continuing to bolster its roster through the transfer portal, adding experienced talent from other top programs in the Big 12 and Pac-12 conferences. This influx of transfers could help the Horned Frogs improve on their 2022-23 season and compete for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

The details

Hjelmstad was a four-star recruit out of Tulsa and was ranked No. 49 by ESPN in her high school recruiting class. She will provide TCU with a bigger guard who can play either shooting guard or small forward. Along with Hjelmstad, the Horned Frogs have added three other transfers: Oklahoma State point guard Jadyn Wooten, North Carolina shooting guard Lanie Grant, and Stanford power forward Lara Somfai.

  • Hjelmstad averaged 14.1 minutes in 31 games and started once for Utah during the 2022-23 season.
  • Hjelmstad scored three points and grabbed three rebounds in Utah's 87-77 overtime win against TCU on Jan. 3, 2023.

The players

Avery Hjelmstad

A 6-foot-1 freshman guard who averaged 5.3 points and 1.7 rebounds per game for Utah last season.

Jadyn Wooten

A point guard transfer from Oklahoma State who is joining the TCU women's basketball team.

Lanie Grant

A shooting guard transfer from North Carolina who is joining the TCU women's basketball team.

Lara Somfai

A power forward transfer from Stanford who is joining the TCU women's basketball team.

Clara Silva

A center who is expected to be retained by TCU for the upcoming season.

Sarah Portlock

A center who is expected to be retained by TCU for the upcoming season.

Clara Bielefeld

A freshman wing player who is expected to be retained by TCU for the upcoming season.

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The takeaway

TCU women's basketball is aggressively rebuilding its roster through the transfer portal, adding experienced talent from other top programs in the region. This influx of transfers could help the Horned Frogs improve on their 2022-23 season and become more competitive in the Big 12 conference.