Kim Caldwell wasted no time rebuilding and retooling her roster for next season. The Lady Vols have gone to work in the transfer portal to bring players who match Caldwell's system and play style, continuing Caldwell's quick success on Rocky Top.
Tennessee is coming off a 24-10 season in Caldwell’s first season as the Lady Vols’ head coach. The season ended with a respectable run to the Sweet 16, but Caldwell and the Lady Vols have higher expectations than that as they prepare for year two in her system.
Tennessee has added three players out of the transfer portal, including two forwards and one guard, as Caldwell hopes to take the Lady Vols on a deeper run in the NCAA Tournament next season.
UCLA forward Janiah Barker, SMU guard Nya Robertson, and LSU forward Jersey Wolfenbarger have all committed to Tennessee out of the transfer portal.
These are significant additions for the Lady Vols, and ESPN has recognized them in its top ten transfer portal winners ranking. Charlie Creme and ESPN ranked Tennessee the No. 1 biggest winner in the transfer portal this year due to those three pickups.
"The Lady Vols added three high-end rotational players to a roster that was already set to have most of its core back," Creme writes. "The depth and versatility Kim Caldwell has at her disposal will be even greater in 2026. Barker began her career in the SEC with two years at Texas A&M before moving on to the Bruins this season.
"She brings an element of power to Tennessee's frontcourt and can be part of Caldwell's 3-point shooting barrage. Robertson is an all-court scorer who should fit right into the Tennessee pressing system, and Wolfenbarger adds more rim protection and rebounding in a 6-foot-5 player who can run the floor."
As noted by Creme, the core of Tennessee's team is returning for the 2025-26 season, which could lead to exciting things on Rocky Top if Caldwell can get the girls rolling, especially when they jump into SEC play.