This discussion is similar to the football discussion on the premium board. Cal football has only been able to recruit three-star players as preps. The strength of their recruiting has been the transfer portal. Once they begin winning, they should be able to upgrade their high school recruiting.
Charmin Smith was able to produce Cal's best season under her tenure based upon four quality transfers. They also have a solid four-member 2024 high school class coming in the fall with two players rated #52 and #76 nationally.
This year the transfer portal is not as impressive with three *non-starter* guards. Last year, CS brought in Ioanna Krimili, McKayla Williams & Ila Lane who were starters (w/ two all-conference). The fourth player, Marta Suarez, had only played one season for Tennessee and emerged as the team's second leading scorer and rebounder. In other words, she hit the jackpot!
Hopefully, soph LuLu Twidale plus freshmen Lola Donez, Zahra King & Kamryn Mafua can contribute more and fill the gap offensively. Actually, the third transfer, Gisella Maul, is only a sophomore, too. She seems to possess the most offensive upside of the transfer trio. Basically, the team will have more question marks entering next season. Although the Bears may be improved defensively, I'm concerned with where the points & rebounding will come from...
It should be an interesting year entering the ACC...
GO BEARS!