LSU guard Kateri Poole enters NCAA transfer portal

LSU guard Kateri Poole has entered the NCAA transfer portal, On3 has learned. Poole has not been with the Tigers since December and only appeared in four games during the 2023-2024 season.

Head coach Kim Mulkey broke the news of Poole leaving LSU on Dec. 10. She was a key member of the national championship run from a year ago, playing in 35 games. A lot of Poole’s value came on the defensive end though, shutting down opposing guards on the perimeter.

“She’s no longer with us,” Mulkey said on the matter. There was never confirmation from the head coach whether the two decided to mutually split ways or if Poole was dismissed from the team.

In the four games Poole did play in, she averaged 2.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. All came against nonconference opponents, with LSU winning three of the four games. Her final appearance was on Nov. 17 against Southeastern Louisiana.

Poole began his college career at Ohio State, having her best season as a true freshman. Two years were spent with the Buckeyes before entering the portal and landing with Mulkey and LSU. However, the relationship appears to be over after departing the team nearly four months ago.

Now, a third school seems to be the decision Poole has made. She is on the move for a second time in her career, hoping to wrap up her college days on a positive note.

LSU heading into NCAA Tournament with hopes of repeating

LSU suffered a loss to South Carolina in the SEC Tournament championship game, ending their quest for conference title. Now, all attention has shifted toward once again being the final team standing in the NCAA Tournament, hoping to repeat.

We have not seen a women’s basketball program go back-to-back since 2016 when UConn won four consecutive. The last SEC school to accomplish the feat was Tennessee under Pat Summitt in 2007 and 2008.

According to the latest Bracketology from ESPN’s Charlie Creme, LSU is a No. 2 seed and would play their first weekend games in Baton Rouge. While they were a three-seed last season, it would be a similar way to how the Tigers began their national championship run.

Selection Sunday is upcoming when LSU’s draw will become official. Everyone will be excited to see where they land on the bracket.

Unfortunately, they will be making the run without Poole.