Penn State transfer Leilani Kapinus commits to Vanderbilt

Penn State transfer Leilani Kapinus has announced her commitment to the Vanderbilt Commodores. 

She averaged 11.5 points and 6.8 rebounds as a junior. She was named to the Big Ten All-Defensive team at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season and was an All-Big Ten honorable mention. The 5-10 guard also had a strong defensive presence for the Nittany Lions, averaging 2.1 steals per game last year. 

Kapinus has two years of eligibility remaining and will head to the Commodores to play for head coach Shea Ralph next season. She scored in double figures in eight of Penn State’s last nine games and amassed more than 1,000 points in her career with the Nittany Lions. 

Penn State reached the WBIT semifinals this season, but ultimately fell to Villanova. Following the tournament, Kapinus was named to the WBIT All-Tournament team, after averaging 12.8 points and 10 rebounds. 

She was one of four Nittany Lions to enter the transfer portal this offseason. Kylie Lavelle, Ali Brigham and Shay Ciezki each elected to look elsewhere for next season. 

Kapinus was ranked the No. 30 player and No. 8 in her position in the class of 2020 on ESPN as a five-star recruit. She was also a McDonald’s All-American nominee. 

Kapinus is Vanderbilt’s second pickup from the portal after they recently landed Jane Nwaba out of Pepperdine, averaging 10.7 points and 7.6 rebounds last season. The Commodores will also add the No. 8 recruit in the 2024 class, Mikayla Blakes next season, who will likely make an immediate impact. 

Last season in Ralph’s third year as head coach, Vanderbilt made their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2014. The Commodores haven’t made a Sweet Sixteen since the 2008-09 season and add Kapinus in hopes of doing so in the near future.