Zam Jones, Mallory Collier enter transfer portal
ANN ARBOR, MI - MARCH 22: NC State Wolfpack guard Zamareya Jones (3) dribbles the ball down court during the game between the NC State Wolfpack and the Michigan Wolverines in the second round of the NCAA Division I Women's Championship on March 22, 2026 at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images It felt like Wes Moore was hinting at substantial changes after NC State’s tournament loss to Michigan, so I’ve been bracing for at least one major contributor to walk out the door—which is what happened Wednesday. Zam Jones is heading for the transfer portal.
Reserve center Mallory Collier previously announced that she’s transferring as well. Jones was State’s only consistent scoring threat from beyond the arc this season, and she will definitely be missed for that and her ability to put big games together; she was the biggest reason NC State was playing in round two to begin with. She’s a career 36% three-point shooter (the NCAA average 3FG% this season is 30.
9, for reference) and shot better than 41% in league play. It’s tough to watch a player with her ability walk out of the building. (Never mind that she’s also very easy to root for.
) But her size did impose limitations on NC State defensively, which was a problem all season. NC State ranked just 66th in defensive efficiency against top-50 opponents, which is well below the standard we’ve come to expect from Wes Moore’s teams. It would be difficult to see that changing a whole lot without a makeover in the backcourt, and maybe it becomes a bit easier to do that if you have money to spread around a couple of players instead of just one.
I’m not saying this was a mutual decision—I have no idea—but rather that this doesn’t rate as a shocking development as far as I’m concerned, and it may provide more roster flexibility. The core group just didn’t pan out like we hoped this season, the money is tighter on the women’s side, and something had to give. This won’t be the end of the turnover, I’m sure.