Over 1,000 names have entered the transfer portal for women’s college basketball since it opened on Monday, April 6. On top of losing seven key pieces to graduation the Hofstra University women’s basketball team fell victim to the portal with four names on their way out: Micaela Carter, Sana’a Garrett, Maddie Pounds and Syniya Barton.
Carter was the ultimate spark plug for the Pride. Since the beginning of that final stretch where Hofstra went 8-4, including the tournament. The Pride were 6-0 when Carter took at least five shot attempts. Carter was the best 3-point shooter on the team by a large margin at 45.3%. Hofstra will look to someone like Ema Karim – who was second in 3-point percentage – to take on an increased role. Six of the top seven shooters will not be returning to the Pride.
Pounds was the first to announce her departure on March 28. Pounds is a standing sophomore who has spent her first two years with Hofstra. Pounds hasn’t seen much of the floor with the Pride, but saw a two-minute-per-game increase in the 2026 season compared to her freshman year.
With seven listed guards playing 15 or more minutes per game last season, it’s been hard to get into the rotation. Six of those seven guards won’t be with the Pride next season, so Pounds was expected to receive a bigger role.
“In my past two years at Hofstra, I have grown a lot on and off the court,” Pounds stated via Instagram. “After thoughtful consideration and conversations with my family, I have decided to enter the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining to explore new opportunities.”
Barton announced that she was transferring one day after Pounds did, on March 29. Over her freshman season, the South Hempstead native averaged the fewest minutes per game of any member of the Pride with 3.3 over six games.
Standing at five foot seven inches, Barton averaged a double-double with rebounds as a junior at Monsignor McClancy Memorial School. She also broke the program record in rebounds.
“The memories, lessons and relationships I’ve built [at Hofstra] will always mean so much to me,” Barton wrote on Instagram. “I’m excited for what’s ahead and ready for the next chapter.”
Garrett transferred from Jacksonville University to Hofstra just last season and was a consistent rotation piece. Coming off the bench for 21 of her 22 games with the Pride, she was the floor general for the second unit. Garrett is a down-hill finisher with a good handle, who finishes off possessions with a crafty layup package. Going into her senior season, she’ll certainly get ample playing time wherever she lands.
Now officially committed to Norfolk State University, Garrett is expected to have an increased role in her final collegiate season.
“After a lot of thought and prayer, I’ve decided to enter the transfer portal,” Garrett said on Instagram. “This wasn’t an easy decision, but I trust the path that’s been set for me and I’m ready for the next chapter. Thank you to everyone who’s been part of my journey.”
The Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) as a whole has fallen victim to the transfer portal, with 55 players in the conference entering, including the Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and six members of the All-CAA Teams. The entire conference is going to look very different next year.
Hofstra has four confirmed commits along with just four returning players.
