WVU Women's Basketball Loses Starter to Transfer Portal

Junior forward Carter McCray plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal after one season with the Mountaineers.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:44am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fragmented action of a women's basketball game, with sharp planes of navy blue, gold, and white intersecting to create a dynamic, abstract composition.The WVU women's basketball team faces a roster shakeup as a key starter departs, but the program's history of reloading through the transfer portal suggests new faces will soon emerge.George Mason Today

West Virginia women's basketball is already preparing for the 2026-27 season, but they will be without a key contributor as junior forward Carter McCray has announced plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal. McCray averaged 6.5 points and 5 rebounds per game for the Mountaineers last season.

Why it matters

McCray was a solid player for WVU, starting 29 games and playing over 21 minutes per contest. Her decision to transfer highlights the constant roster turnover in college basketball as players seek larger roles and opportunities at other programs.

The details

McCray transferred to WVU after one season at Wisconsin, where she averaged over 13 points and 10 rebounds per game in her first two years. However, her offensive production was cut in half with the Mountaineers as she struggled to find the same level of success. With increased competition in the frontcourt, McCray has decided to enter the portal and pursue a new opportunity elsewhere for her final year of eligibility.

  • McCray announced her plans to enter the transfer portal on April 15, 2026.

The players

Carter McCray

A junior forward who started 29 games for the WVU women's basketball team last season, averaging 6.5 points and 5 rebounds per game.

Mark Kellogg

The head coach of the West Virginia women's basketball team, known for his active recruiting in the transfer portal.

Zaza Walton

A guard/forward transferring to WVU from George Mason, where he averaged over 18 points per game last season.

Divine Tshibuabua

A six-foot-three forward transferring to WVU from Pitt.

Khayla Ngodu

A center transferring to WVU from UCF.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Carter is an elite finisher at the rim and a big-time rebounder. Defensively, she will shine in our pressure system and guard multiple positions.”

— Mark Kellogg, Head Coach, WVU Women's Basketball

What’s next

The Mountaineers will look to fill the void left by McCray's departure through the transfer portal, as they have already added several new pieces to the roster for the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

McCray's decision to enter the transfer portal highlights the constant roster turnover in college basketball, as players seek more playing time and opportunities at other programs. However, the Mountaineers have proven adept at reloading through the portal, and will look to replace McCray's production with their latest batch of transfers.