Texas Women’s Basketball: Longhorns Lose Laila Phelia as Transfer Window Closes

The Texas women’s basketball team has unexpectedly lost a key player as the transfer portal window closes.

A team spokesperson confirmed to the American-Statesman on Wednesday that senior guard Laila Phelia has entered the transfer portal, with Wednesday marking the final day for new entries in women’s basketball. The news was first reported by the X account @SkimMilkey.

Phelia, who spent her first three collegiate years at Michigan, was an all-conference selection and the Wolverines’ leading scorer in the 2023-24 season. Last April, she decided to transfer to Texas, where she was expected to start this season. However, Phelia suffered a detached retina in her left eye over the summer and never fully recovered, leading her to take a medical redshirt after playing in eight games. Despite coming off the bench in each of her appearances, she averaged 6.1 points and 19.4 minutes per game.

During the NCAA Tournament, Phelia had shared that she still had one more surgery scheduled for the month but expressed excitement about returning to the court next season with the Texas team. Instead, Phelia’s departure adds to UT’s list of offseason changes. The Longhorns have already seen starters Shay Holle and Taylor Jones graduate, while reserves Jordana Codio (Seton Hall) and Abbie Boutilier (Eastern Illinois) have transferred. Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda, who started 15 games last season, also entered the transfer portal last week.