Hoping this isn't true but Dayna Mendes into the portal per @Raoul. I have followed the women more and more. Part of it is Ethridge has kept attrition so low. Getting left behind might see that tick up.
WBB: Dayna Mendes
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That is too bad. She was really athletic and just getting better and better. I saw an interview with her on the coaches show about a month ago and she didn't seem to be as invested in the Cougars as the rest of the players. At the time I thought, "huh". But then I just thought maybe it was her personality and English not being her first language. I guess my first instincts may have been right.
Remember having similar thoughts about her interview on the coaches show. She said a few things that jumped out at me as well.
Hopefully this doesn't signal more movement. It's something we really haven't seen under Ethridge.
Hopefully this doesn't signal more movement. It's something we really haven't seen under Ethridge.
KXLY fell short of confirming her departure but said her status for the NDSU was unknown. It seems she's gone. Too bad, she probably has NBA talent.
yes- very disappointing. She has posted it on Instagram, but it also looks like she might still be with the team in Fargo. Maybe not a great fit from Paris to Pullman. Ethridge spoke of her as the most athletic player they ever recruited, but also playing with chronic injuries. Will be interesting where she lands. I would be surprised if it is a huge upgrade in quality of the program from WSU, but maybe a larger city.
So astounding how the NCAA opens the portal during the Tournament and Bowl Season. Like they are purposely sabotaging their product, and where they make their money. I know there is some talk of not opening the portal until after the bowls. Not sure if that is progressing.
So astounding how the NCAA opens the portal during the Tournament and Bowl Season. Like they are purposely sabotaging their product, and where they make their money. I know there is some talk of not opening the portal until after the bowls. Not sure if that is progressing.
We're watching college sports disintegrate in real time.
Few didn't all of a sudden become an awful coach where multiple players leave the program. These guys are getting picked off/approached during the tournament.
Hell, I used to have other AAU coaches try to poach my players in the handshake line. This is human nature.
From what I've been hearing, Gonzaga supposedly is going to be Top 15 in NIL so you might be right.
Have to wonder if some of their NBA alums are ponying up. There's not THAT many oozing rich folks in Spokane. Some but not like the big cities.
It really is just a matter of time before the billionaires take an interest in college sports, and then it will be pretty much over. There is no real limits or regulations, and recruiting and tampering is occurring year-round, with gambling discussed on every broadcast and article. Think of the largest NIL number you can imagine for 2025, and add a zero to the end of that for 2027 or 2028. I don't think Ferdinand's ice cream is going to keep players in Pullman much longer. For anyone that is still mildly interested in college sports, just pick an SEC to pull for, I guess. I'm kind of over it.
Alice Dart also went into the portal. Ended up behind a lot of players, but thought she had good upside. Just needed to get stronger and tighten some of her skills. We ended up with so many wing types they all weren't going to stick around. Hope this is it though. I think Koorits who redshirted will end up a good player in time.
I kinda' doubt NIL for Mendes as well. She also took officials to Arizona, Xavier, and UC-Irvine. She probably ends up at UA or another P4 in warmer and "bigger" environment.
I agree on doubting Villa or Dart are getting much in the way of NIL. Dart was a ways behind the other frosh wings. Probably a matter of playing time. Might be the same for J Villa.
Mendes is hard to replace but at the moment we will have good depth in most spots plus Koorits and the 2 true frosh. Hope Ethridge stick around or things probably fall apart at the seams.
I agree on doubting Villa or Dart are getting much in the way of NIL. Dart was a ways behind the other frosh wings. Probably a matter of playing time. Might be the same for J Villa.
Mendes is hard to replace but at the moment we will have good depth in most spots plus Koorits and the 2 true frosh. Hope Ethridge stick around or things probably fall apart at the seams.
Mendes may get some money, but I think she was gone regardless. I don't think she liked Pullman. I see her going to a warm big city. I am shocked that Jenna Villa is leaving, as she was a starter. We'll have to see where she ends up.
Football and men's basketball are the two big sports with a lot of NIL. I kind of doubt that every school is paying out NIL money for every sport.
I agree regarding Ethridge.
Yes- Villa is a surprise. As an in-state recruit she had to know exactly what she was signing up for, and she was starting even though lately players were coming off the bench and contributing more. Maybe she wanted more minutes, but pretty much everyone does. Plus, she wasn't exactly tearing it up. She was a big recruit but in many games just kind of disappeared. It will be interesting where she end up. Maybe wanted to get back closer to the west-side.
Kpetikou to portal per Raoul.
wbbblog.com
Women’s Basketball Transfers: D-I, 2024-25 - Page 11 of 11 - WBB Blog
Continuously updated rundown of women's basketball transfers, covering D-I transfer portal activity, from August 2024 to July 2025
wbbblog.com
That is too bad. Since Kamie and her staff have been in Pullman, players improve. I think some of these players are going to regret leaving one day.Kpetikou to portal per Raoul.
Women’s Basketball Transfers: D-I, 2024-25 - Page 11 of 11 - WBB Blog
Continuously updated rundown of women's basketball transfers, covering D-I transfer portal activity, from August 2024 to July 2025
I'm not worried about the billionaires. They are too busy ruining my country. oops, wrong board!
Bummed about Jenna. Her and Tara (graduating) were the cutest ones on the team. Dayana right behind. Oh well, hopefully Alex will stay.
Dare I say, I don't like all these women's players leaving right after the last game.
Almost seems like Kamie could be on the next train out of dodge and already informed the team after the loss.
Almost seems like Kamie could be on the next train out of dodge and already informed the team after the loss.
At least (Dayana aside) they waited until AFTER the last game. Unlike Watts and the other guy (name escapes me).
Tuhina, Ele Villa, and Covill haven't hit the door yet. Playing time is a plausible reason for some departures but portals have been so rare under Ethridge. I think the concern is warranted with the conference change, but if Ethridge were to leave I would think they think about promoting Laurie Koehn. She recruits the foreign players along with Ethridge of course. Maybe she could keep some semblance of the roster? Hope we aren't going the way of WVB last year.
EDIT: The only P4 jobs open at the moment according to wbbblog is SMU and BYU with SMU being the obvious job that would make sense given it's Texas. Texas Tech isn't open at least yet.
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To be fair, everyone says that players don't leave WSU WBB, but they do. There were 3 transfers last year, and often it is a good thing for players who are transferring down for more minutes that they wouldn't get in Pullman. It might be time for this staff to take in a transfer or two...
BTW- I was in Spokane today for the NCAA Tournament game. It was really well done, and a perfect spring weekend. CLW was given a very warm reception by the fans, with kids asking for autographs and selfies. She seemed very happy to oblige. Much of the current team was there watching- I saw Tara, Ella, AT, Marta hanging out. no doubt thinking about how they beat UCLA last January. Seems like a lifetime ago now....
BTW- I was in Spokane today for the NCAA Tournament game. It was really well done, and a perfect spring weekend. CLW was given a very warm reception by the fans, with kids asking for autographs and selfies. She seemed very happy to oblige. Much of the current team was there watching- I saw Tara, Ella, AT, Marta hanging out. no doubt thinking about how they beat UCLA last January. Seems like a lifetime ago now....
There are ways around it for International players, but doubt that's the driver. Once it starts it's hard to stop the portals as we have seen in the past. Kyra Gardner gone as well.
