Two More Virginia Tech WBB Players Rumored to Make an Exit

 

Quickly stacking up to five players entering the portal, it is rumored that Virginia Tech's Sophie Swanson and Spela Brecelj also intend to transfer.

A Nationwide Rise in Portal Entries

It is with no doubt that the statement can be made that the transfer portal has become a mess in terms of how many athletes enter it each year. Within just the first day of the transfer portal opening for men's and women's college basketball players, over 1,200 women have entered the portal. Because of this obscene number of players desiring to find a place somewhere else, a new rule is in the making. NCAA leadership is in talks of a new rule to be made that after August 1, 2026, college athletes may only transfer once in their collegiate careers. While this rule is still up in the air and being refined in hopes to control the chaos within the portal, there is one thing that many fans love to blame: NIL. Through NIL deals, college athletes are able to not only make money but make a name for themselves. Although many people hate this new opportunity, it can be seen as a blessing for female athletes, specifically female basketball players. Because leagues like the WNBA as well as overseas women's basketball leagues don't necessarily pay as well as many hope, utilizing an opportunity such as NIL is not something these women should take for granted. That said, making this one's entire desire to play for a good program or jump from team to team should not be the goal. In recent years, people have pushed that players who transfer only do it for the money, but that is not the case. While many players likely do transfer to get greater pay, others transfer to earn more playing time. Perhaps someone is fulfilling a lifelong dream playing basketball and wants to continue this dream by maximizing their opportunity to play at a smaller Division I school while still receiving some money on the side. By looking at it from a different perspective, NIL doesn't have to be so bad, but controlling the amount of portal entries may also settle the uproar from fans as well.

Virginia Tech Portal Entries Thus Far

Kayl Petersen

On March 26, 2026, Virginia Tech sophomore forward, Kayl Petersen announced that she would enter the transfer portal with two years of eligibility. Receiving less playing time in the 2025-2026 season than in her freshman season, Petersen is likely looking to find a leadership role in a program that will better value the skills she brings to the table. Initially a recruit for Virginia Tech Head Coach Megan Duffy at Marquette, Petersen was not originally expecting to be put up against dominant ACC programs where she would be often outsized. Perhaps the Wisconsin native will return to Marquette or a school near home where she initially planned to be up until the coaching changes in 2024.

Mackenzie Nelson

Becoming the second player to announce their intentions to enter the transfer portal was sophomore guard, Mackenzie Nelson. On April 4, 2026, the starting guard for Virginia Tech shocked fans and Hokie Nation as she showed her gratitude for the program in her announcement on Instagram. In just her first two seasons playing for the Hokies, Nelson played well and improved to averaging 8.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game in the 2025-2026. If you asked any Virginia Tech Women's Basketball fan about Nelson, the chances are they would express their happiness with Nelson's play and thoughts that she was happy too. It may simply be that Nelson wants a better shot at a National Championship and to surround herself with some of the best college athletes in the country.

Carys Baker

Also announcing her desire to transfer out of Virginia Tech on April 4, 2026, was junior forward Carys Baker. The exit of Baker is a huge loss for Virginia Tech as she was a rising scorer, turning faces of coaches and fans across the nation. Able to score efficiently on all three levels, Baker averaged 14.3 points and 6.9 rebounds this past season. With this ability to score from anywhere and leadership experience, Baker could truly take her talents anywhere and I am curious to see where she will land. Could both Baker and Nelson return to their former coach, Kenny Brooks at Kentucky and round out his squad surrounding Clara Strack?

Who is Also Rumored to Leave?

Sophie Swanson

With no official personal announcement herself, it has only been rumored that junior guard, Sophie Swanson plans to enter the transfer portal. Although she has not made a statement herself, many sources revealed that her agents have spoken of her desire to leave Virginia Tech after just one season with the Hokies. Appearing in just 20 games for the Hokies, Swanson averaged 2.3 points per game, putting up a season-high 6 points twice. Prior to this season at Virginia Tech, Swanson was deadly behind the arc for Purdue shooting around 30% in both her freshman and sophomore seasons. That said, she shot approximately 19% from three for Virginia Tech this year, shocking fans that hoped she would be an offensive sparkplug. Despite not always being a sparkplug from three, Swanson was one to keep the Hokies' spirits high in all situations. For her senior year, Swanson is likely looking to make the most of her final collegiate season at a place she can maximize playing time while also making an impact both on and off the court.

Spela Brecelj

Becoming the fifth Hokie to likely enter the transfer portal, Spela Brecelj is also one that has been speculated to leave. Like Swanson, no official announcements from the 6'2" guard from Ajdovscina, Slovenia have been made, though some claim they have heard of her intentions from her agents. Brecelj was a late edition to the 2025-2026 squad and would only see the court 8 times this season, scoring a total of 7 points.