Freshman starter a surprise transfer portal entry, 6th from Indiana women's basketball
Story by
Freshman starter a surprise transfer portal entry, 6th from Indiana women's basketball
Chloe Peterson, Indianapolis Star
·
2 min read
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Indiana Hoosiers guard Shay Ciezki (10) shoots as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
Indiana Hoosiers guard Nevaeh Caffey (2) momentarily looses the ball as the Buckeye full court press in the first half as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
Indiana Hoosiers forward Edessa Noyan (8) blocks out a Buckeye after a free throw as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
An Ohio State fan reacts to a score by Ohio in the First half as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
Indiana Hoosiers guard Lenée Beaumont (5) is defended by Ohio State Buckeyes guard Ava Watson (5) in the first half as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
Ohio State Buckeyes center Elsa Lemmilä (12) attempts to block Indiana Hoosiers forward Edessa Noyan (8) in the first half as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
Indiana Hoosiers guard Chloe Spreen (22) looks to pass as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
Ohio State Buckeyes guard Ava Watson (5) drives to the basket as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
Indiana Hoosiers guard Nevaeh Caffey (2) gets her shop blocked by Ohio State Buckeyes guard Ava Watson (5) as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
Indiana Hoosiers guard Lenée Beaumont (5) shoots for three in the first half as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
Indiana Hoosiers guard Shay Ciezki (10) shoots as Ohio State Buckeyes center Elsa Lemmilä (12) attempts to block the shot as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
Indiana Hoosiers guard Lenée Beaumont (5) fights for a rebound as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
Indiana Hoosiers guard Lenée Beaumont (5) looks to pass as Ohio State Buckeyes guard Chance Gray (2) defends as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
1/13
See photos as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament
Indiana Hoosiers guard Shay Ciezki (10) shoots as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
1/13
See photos as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament
Indiana Hoosiers guard Shay Ciezki (10) shoots as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
2/13
See photos as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament
Indiana Hoosiers guard Nevaeh Caffey (2) momentarily looses the ball as the Buckeye full court press in the first half as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
3/13
See photos as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament
Indiana Hoosiers forward Edessa Noyan (8) blocks out a Buckeye after a free throw as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
4/13
See photos as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament
An Ohio State fan reacts to a score by Ohio in the First half as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
5/13
See photos as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament
Indiana Hoosiers guard Lenée Beaumont (5) is defended by Ohio State Buckeyes guard Ava Watson (5) in the first half as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
6/13
See photos as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament
Ohio State Buckeyes center Elsa Lemmilä (12) attempts to block Indiana Hoosiers forward Edessa Noyan (8) in the first half as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
7/13
See photos as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament
Indiana Hoosiers guard Chloe Spreen (22) looks to pass as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
8/13
See photos as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament
Ohio State Buckeyes guard Ava Watson (5) drives to the basket as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
9/13
See photos as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament
Indiana Hoosiers guard Nevaeh Caffey (2) gets her shop blocked by Ohio State Buckeyes guard Ava Watson (5) as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
10/13
See photos as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament
Indiana Hoosiers guard Lenée Beaumont (5) shoots for three in the first half as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
11/13
See photos as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament
Indiana Hoosiers guard Shay Ciezki (10) shoots as Ohio State Buckeyes center Elsa Lemmilä (12) attempts to block the shot as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
12/13
See photos as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament
Indiana Hoosiers guard Lenée Beaumont (5) fights for a rebound as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
13/13
See photos as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament
Indiana Hoosiers guard Lenée Beaumont (5) looks to pass as Ohio State Buckeyes guard Chance Gray (2) defends as the Indiana Hoosiers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
(Travis LaCoss/IndyStar)
Indiana women's basketballguard Nevaeh Caffey will enter the transfer portal, which opens April 6, she stated Monday afternoon by reposting an announcement from On3 onher Instagram.
Caffey's departure from theHoosiersprogram is a bit of a surprise. The 2025 Missouri Miss Show-Me Basketball started all 32 of IU's games as a freshman this season, averaging 8.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
IU women didn't have the success it is used to this year, starting 0-10 in Big Ten play as the Hoosiers returned just one starter. But Caffey was a big part of IU winning seven of its final 10 games, surging to a second-round Big Ten Tournament finish.
She, along with fellow freshman forward Maya Makalusky and redshirt sophomore guard Lenee Beaumont, were considered to be the core of IU's play going forward, with Caffey continuing as the Hoosiers' point guard. Now, coach Teri Moren will need to find someone else to fill the void at point.
Edessa Noyan joins Caffey, others in transfer portal
Part-time starting center Edessa Noyan also plans to enter the transfer portal,On3reported earlier Monday.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Noyan stepped into the starting center role as Zania Socka-Nguemen went through multiple foot injuries. A junior transfer from Virginia in 2025-26, Noyan started 21 of her 32 appearances in her sole season as a Hoosier, averaging 5.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
Noyan and Caffey's departures give the Hoosiers six departures via the transfer portal along with two graduating seniors. Shay Ciezki and Jerni Kiaku ran out of eligibility following this season, whileFaith Wiseman, Jade Ondineme, Phoenix StotjinandChloe Spreenhave all announced intentions to enter the transfer portal.
Barring any more transfer portal entries, the Hoosiers will essentially have three players, all starters, returning: Makalusky, Beaumont, and Socka-Nguemen. Sydney Fenn, who didn't play because of injury, and Zoe Jackson, who joined the team midseason out of Australia and did not play, should also return.
Jackson is part of IU's touted 2026 freshman class, which ranks No. 6 in the nation per ESPNw. That class includes three four-star recruits in guard GiGi Battle, point guard Ashlinn James, and guard Addy Nyemchek. That gives Moren eight players for 2026-27, meaning she and her staff will need to do a lot of work in the portal for the second straight season.
