Duke Faces Unexpected Roster Shake-Up with Okananwa’s Departure
DURHAM — Duke women’s basketball, known for its roster stability in recent years, was dealt a surprise this week as sophomore guard Oluchi Okananwa entered the NCAA transfer portal. Reports indicate she recently visited the University of Maryland.
Heading into the offseason, Duke anticipated returning all eligible players, having only lost graduating upperclassmen. Okananwa’s decision marks a significant and unexpected change, particularly given the team’s focus on retention. ESPN women’s basketball analyst Charlie Creme described her move as “one of the most surprising portal entries this transfer cycle.”
Okananwa, a Boston native, has been a standout for Duke over the past two seasons. She earned ACC Sixth Player of the Year as a freshman and was named ACC Tournament MVP this year. Known for her high energy and impact on both ends of the court, she played a central role in Duke’s deep postseason runs — including a Sweet 16 appearance last season and an Elite Eight finish this year.
Following Duke’s narrow 54–50 loss to South Carolina in the NCAA Tournament, Okananwa reflected on the season:
“This one stings a bit because of the way the game went and how close it was… We’re all so proud of the season we’ve had. Like always, we’re gonna take our mistakes, take the lessons we’ve learned from this game, and apply them for next season.”
Over her two seasons, Okananwa averaged 9.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Her performance during the 2025 ACC Tournament — where she averaged 16.3 points and 6.7 rebounds — was key to Duke’s first conference championship in over a decade. She also recorded several standout games, including a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double in the ACC title win over NC State and a 12-point, 12-rebound showing against UNC in the Sweet 16.
Despite her departure, Duke is expected to retain most of its core players, including Ashlon Jackson, Jadyn Donovan, Toby Fournier, Delaney Thomas, and Taina Mair — all of whom made significant contributions this season. As of now, there’s no indication that others plan to leave.
Okananwa is the fourth Blue Devil reported to have entered the transfer portal this cycle.
