Why point guard has become the primary offseason focus for Utah women’s basketball team

Utah coach Gavin Petersen talks with LA Sneed (2) and Brooke Walker during a break in action against Arizona during the Utes' 81-67 win at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. | Brandon Judd, Deseret News When the University of Utah lost to Eastern Kentucky in the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament three weeks ago, that signaled the start of a new era for the Utes.

Guards Lani White and Maty Wilke, the team’s leading scorers and the faces of the program, were both seniors. It was supposed to help usher in a youth movement, giving the Utah program the chance to rely more on young stars — and then, the transfer portal exodus began. As of Thursday, six players have reportedly entered the portal, and it’s a mix of youth and experience — on the young side, there’s LA Sneed, Avery Hjelmstad, Grace Foster and Brooke Walker, two freshmen and two sophomores.

Then there were juniors Reese Ross and Alyssa Blanck. Only one Utah player from last season, forward Chyra Evans, has publicly announced she is returning to the Utes next year, while three others haven’t declared one way or another. View this post on Instagram There is also a three-player freshman class entering the program this offseason that includes two four-star talents, Kanab High center Rylee Little and Colorado native Peyton Jones, along with shooting guard Milika Satuala from Bountiful High.

That leaves the Utes potentially needing to add as many as six transfers, depending on how things shake out this offseason as they try to bounce back from a season where Utah had its four-year NCAA Tournament streak snapped. The women’s basketball transfer window officially opened Monday, less than 24 hours after the national championship game, and will stay open through April 20. That means Utah could see more players exit the program, and likewise the Utes could also have players who’ve entered the portal end up returning to Salt Lake City.