Over 1,300 women’s college basketball players entered the transfer portal this year in hopes of growing their individual games, opportunities, and chances of winning a national title. Superstar talents like South Carolina’s Ta’Niya Latson, TCU’s Olivia Miles, LSU’s MiLaysia Fulwiley, and UConn’s Serah Williams dominated headlines with their decisions, but a few players have flown under the radar in the process. With mere days until the regular season tips off, here is one key transfer player to keep an eye out for who will prove to play a major role in the hunt for a championship.
Credit: Maryland Terrapins
In 71 appearances for Duke, Maryland transfer and Boston native Oluchi Okananwa came off the bench in all of them. That never stopped the 5’10 guard from making an impact on either side of the ball. As a freshman, Okananwa led Duke in scoring throughout the ACC tournament. After advancing to March Madness, Okananwa led Duke once again in scoring, eventually falling to the UConn Huskies by eight in the Sweet Sixteen.
In her sophomore season, Okananwa showcased the benefits of the summer gym sessions early and often on offense. Her aggressiveness in decision-making improved, as did her offensive approach across the plane. The magic started in the ACC tournament, where Okananwa averaged 16.3 points and 6.7 rebounds before taking home MVP honors. During the NCAA tournament, Okananwa led Duke in scoring twice in four games. The growth was evident, which led to a transfer to Maryland to have a larger imprint on a game-to-game basis.
Duke’s Oluchi Okananwa is a defensive monster.
One of the best POA defenders in CBB. Elite lateral athleticism, footwork & hand activity to cut off driving angles and force ball-handlers into uncomfortable spots pic.twitter.com/0iDWeubhIF
— Hunter Cruse (@HunterCruse14) March 18, 2025
In College Park, longtime Maryland head coach Brenda Freese will implore Okananwa to do exactly what got her here: operating with creative freedom and defensive tenacity that cannot be taught. Okananwa will have the ball in her hands to operate more than she did at Duke, but her efforts on the other side could prove to be as vital as her offense. For example, Okananwa allowed an incredible .661 points per play when defending pick-and-roll actions.
As far as rebounding, there isn’t a board she won’t crash. As a freshman guard off the bench, Okananwa led the Blue Devils in rebounding (6.1 per game), which was near the top for all ACC guards. At 5’10 with a rangy wingspan, Okananwa has the physical and mental intangibles to be the best defensive player on the court. She was exactly that for two seasons in Durham, and Maryland will need every effort from her as the team deals with the loss of Bri McDaniel, who suffered a torn ACL in January, and All-Big Ten guard Shyanne Sellers.
One area of growth that will be crucial in Okananwa’s ability to lift the Terrapins above the fray will be knocking down three-pointers with consistency. In her freshman year at Duke, she connected on 31 of her 89 attempts, which is good for 34.8 percent. As a sophomore, Okananwa shot 30 percent from deep, but the numbers are a bit misleading. For example, she missed just four more shots than the previous season, which put her at 27 out of 90 attempts.
When the lights were bright, Okananwa showed up for the Blue Devils throughout the ACC tournament and March Madness, netting 10 of her 20 attempts. No one is expecting her to shoot 50 percent for an entire season, but it shows she has the ability to contribute when it’s needed most. In a crowded room in the Big Ten, Okananwa’s presence for Maryland will be box office every time the Terrapins take the floor.
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Born and raised in Chicago, Christan Braswell is a women’s sports journalist with a focus on the WNBA and women’s college basketball. He’s an avid fan of elevator screens and stuffed-crust pizza. Outside of sports, he’s an avid cook and lover of the great outdoors.
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