Lady Vols Basketball Faces Roster Overhaul Ahead of 2026-27 Season

Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell must rebuild nearly the entire team after 7 of 8 possible returners enter the transfer portal.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:05am

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Lady Vols basketball is facing a major roster overhaul heading into Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell's third season, with seven of the team's eight possible returners entering the transfer portal. The team's lone returning player is freshman guard Jaida Civil, while the Lady Vols also lost four seniors to graduation. Tennessee had two players signed in its 2026 recruiting class, but one - five-star forward Oliviyah Edwards - has already requested her release. The Lady Vols will have up to 13 roster spots to fill and are in need of strong 3-point shooters and athletes who can execute Caldwell's full-court press.

Why it matters

The Lady Vols' roster turnover is a significant challenge for coach Kim Caldwell as she looks to build the program back up after three straight first-round NCAA Tournament exits. Tennessee will have to completely rebuild its roster through the transfer portal, which will test Caldwell's recruiting and player development abilities. The team's shooting struggles and defensive issues last season also need to be addressed through the portal.

The details

Seven of Tennessee's eight possible returners will enter the transfer portal after the season ended with a loss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The lone returning player is freshman guard Jaida Civil, who was one of the team's most improved players last season. Tennessee lost four seniors to graduation, while five-star 2026 recruit Oliviyah Edwards has requested her release from the program. The Lady Vols originally had two players signed in their 2026 class, with four-star wing Gabby Minus also on the roster. Tennessee desperately needs to add 3-point shooting and defensive-minded players to Caldwell's system through the transfer portal.

  • The transfer portal window for immediate eligibility begins the day after the national championship and will be open April 6-20.
  • Grad transfers may enter the portal at any time.

The players

Jaida Civil

The lone returning player for the Lady Vols, Civil was one of Tennessee's most improved players last season, averaging 6.4 points, 4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 18.8 minutes per game while shooting 41.5% from the field.

Oliviyah Edwards

A five-star forward and McDonald's All-American who was the highest-ranked recruit to sign with Tennessee since Jordan Horston. Edwards, ranked No. 2 in the 2026 class by ESPN, has reportedly requested her release from the program.

Gabby Minus

A four-star wing who is the No. 3 player out of Georgia according to 247Sports Composite. Minus returned halfway through last season from a knee injury and won a state championship with her high school team.

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What they’re saying

“Tennessee desperately needs strong 3-point shooters, which was one of its most glaring weaknesses this season.”

— Cora Hall, University of Tennessee women's athletics reporter

“Caldwell also needs athletes who can execute her full-court press, which was much weaker this season than her first season. She said lack of consistent rotations contributed to the lack of success with the press.”

— Cora Hall, University of Tennessee women's athletics reporter

What’s next

Tennessee has already offered Esmeralda Enriquez, the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship MVP from Eastern Arizona. The Lady Vols are also reportedly interested in Florida State's leading scorer Solé Williams, who could follow her former assistant coach Bill Ferrara to Tennessee.

The takeaway

Kim Caldwell faces a major rebuilding job with the Lady Vols, needing to completely overhaul the roster through the transfer portal. Tennessee's struggles with 3-point shooting and defensive intensity last season must be addressed, and Caldwell will have to quickly identify and recruit the right players to fit her system.