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UNC WBB 2025-26 starter enters the transfer portal
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- UNC WBB 2025-26 starter enters the transfer portal
Anchored by a deep, guard-heavy attack, the UNC women's basketball team found itself in the Sweet 16 for a second-straight season.
Tar Heels guards Lanie Grant (10.8 points per game), Indya Nivar (10.6) and Elina Aarnisalo (10.2) all averaged double-figures, forcing opponents to pick their poison when defending. Nyla Harris (11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds per game) was North Carolina 's top threat down low, but guard play proved arguably the top factor in wins.
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As UNC looks ahead to its 2026-27 campaign, it'll be without one of those aforementioned guards. On Wednesday, Grant announced her decision to enter the transfer portal.
Grant, a former Virginia High School Player of the Year , transformed from a key reserve into a crucial starter. Averaging career bests of 10.8 points, 2.3 assists, 1.9 rebounds and 0.6 steals per game, Grant became an integral part of the Tar Heels' offensive attack.
With top overall recruit Kate Harpring coming to Chapel Hill next season, though, Grant likely is looking at less playing time. Harpring is a point guard, like Grant, so you can't blame the latter for wanting to start again.
Grant turned her play up a notch come the thick of ACC play, scoring in double-figures five straight games, spanning from January into February. Grant later notched double-figures in six consecutive contests, breaking that streak in the Sweet 16 against UConn .
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Nivar is a senior, so she'll also be out of Tar Heel blue this fall. That leaves Aarnisalo, Nyla Brooks, Taliyah Henderson, Laila Hull , Reniya Kelly , Taissa Queiroz, Jordan Zubich and Sydney Barker in the guard rotation, giving UNC plenty to offset the loss of their top two guards.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Lanie Grant leaves UNC WBB, enters her name in transfer portal
