Virginia Tech's Star Forward, Carys Baker Announces to be the Third to Enter the Transfer Portal

Just hours after Mackenzie Nelson announced that she would transfer out of Virginia Tech, Carys Baker became the third Hokie to personally announce that she would be entering the transfer portal. 

Baker's Time at Virginia Tech

A Promising Freshman Role

Entering the program as a true freshman during Coach Kenny Brooks' final year at Virginia Tech (2023-2024), Carys Baker had a slow start to her career. Because of her versatility in terms of post-work and outside shooting, Baker was able to contribute from anywhere for the Hokies. That said, in her freshman season, Baker didn't hear her number called as much because she was playing behind the perfect post-guard duo: Elizabeth Kitley and Georgia Amoore. Despite only seeing the court for an average of 11.8 minutes per game, Baker made the most of her playing time, recording as much as 13 points in their matchup with William & Mary.

New Faces

With the departure of Coach Brooks to Kentucky alongside those who followed him there including Georgia Amoore, Clara Strack, and others, a big opportunity was made for returning Hokies such as Carys Baker, Rose Micheaux, and Carleigh Wenzel. Because of the massive shift in players and the bringing in of former Marquette Head Coach, Megan Duffy to Virginia Tech, Baker and many others had a big role to fill as the new leaders of the pack. Baker took this need in leadership well and made a huge jump within her stats. Tripling her playing time as one of the Hokies' go-to forwards in the 2024-2025 season, Baker also tripled her scoring, averaging 12.6 points accompanied by 6.3 points per game. This was huge as her ability to score from all levels as well as rebound opened up the floor spacing for Carleigh Wenzel, Rose Micheaux, and Matilda Ekh. Coming just short of the NCAA Tournament in Coach Duffy's first year as Head Coach for Virginia Tech, the future was bright despite the graduating of star forwards, Rose Micheaux and Matilda Ekh, both made a profound impact on the program.

The Climb

Coming into the 2025-2026 season, the Virginia Tech Women's Basketball Team had something to prove and came in with a chip on their shoulder. Entering her second season coaching the Hokies, Coach Duffy was able to better build a team of her own with recruits and even transfers in Kilah Freelon, Mel Daley, and Sophie Swanson. Remaining one of the most experienced players on the roster, Carys Baker was one Coach Duffy looked to time and time again for a spark to keep the Hokies pushing forward. In the 2025-2026 season, Baker kept up the pace and made up her mind to keep getting better as she averaged 14.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, second in scoring for the Hokies behind Carleigh Wenzel. Baker would put up many breakout games this season, recording a career-high 24 points twice in huge victories against conference opponents. All throughout her career thus far, Baker has been a remarkable shooter from behind the arc despite being a forward. Her ability to not only make big shots from outside but also discipline defenders as she took the ball to the basket was exactly what Virginia Tech needed to make their NCAA Tournament push this season. Despite making an early first-round exit, there was much for the Hokies, especially Baker, to be proud of and many hoped/believed she would be back for one final ride in her senior year at Virginia Tech.


A Big Loss for Tech, A New Beginning for Baker

As much as it hurts for Virginia Tech fans from all over the country, Baker's desire to transfer could have been from many different things. Expressing in her announcement on Instagram, Baker made it clear that her decisions weren't easy and showed class through her expression of gratitude for her coaches and teammates. While there was no clear reason described in her post in regard to her exit, perhaps Baker simply wanted a larger chance at a National Championship. Although Virginia Tech has slowly continued their progress to becoming more and more relevant as a potential contender in the ACC and even in the NCAA Tournament, Baker likely wanted to make the most of her final collegiate season before pursuing her professional goals and dreams. Unfortunately, in the recent years of college sports it has been made all about money and NIL deals and it is a possibility that Baker left to maximize her abilities to get paid as a future female basketball player does not pay much in itself. Even while the reasons for Baker entering the portal aren't clear, one thing is: her impact. No matter where Baker lands (and she could essentially go anywhere she wanted with her immense skills), her influence on the team and culture of the school is inevitable.

Once a Hokie, always a Hokie. Thank you, Carys.

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