Two Power-conference transfers have signed on to new coach Kellie Harper’s first Mizzou women’s basketball team.
Rutgers transfer guard Lisa Thompson and Purdue graduate guard Jayla Smith both officially signed for on Friday, per a team news release. The Tigers now have six incoming transfers for the 2025-26 season, taking the total number of players on the roster to 11.
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Thompson is a 5-foot-9 guard out of Joliet, Illinois, who was a McDonald’s All-American nominee out of high school. Over the past two seasons with the Scarlet Knights, Thompson averaged 6.1 points, 1.3 assists and 1.8 rebounds per game. She has two remaining years of eligibility.
Smith, a shooting guard out of Indianapolis, made 92 career appearances for Purdue, but missed most of last season due to injury. She will have one year of eligibility remaining, as she is coming to Mizzou as a graduate transfer.
Smith is reuniting with new Mizzou assistant coach Michael Scruggs, who was a coach at Purdue during the guard’s freshman and sophomore seasons.
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Thompson and Smith join Kentucky transfer guard Saniah Tyler, Illinois State guard Shannon Dowell, Cleveland State forward Jordana Reisma and Florida Atlantic guard Sydney Mains as MU’s newcomers.
Purdue Boilermakers guard Jayla Smith (3) shoots the ball Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, during the women’s basketball exhibition game against the Indiana Tech Warriors at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind.
So, with two additions at guard on board and 11 players on the roster, how close is Harper to rounding out her first Missouri roster?
Under expected roster limits for the 2025-26 season, which are subject to change pending any adjustments in the House v. NCAA revenue-sharing settlement, college basketball teams can carry 15 players next season.
Whether that roster limit holds or not, Harper said the Tigers’ strategy is unlikely to change.
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“Yeah, so the roster limit’s probably not going to affect women’s basketball as much as some of the other sports that we’re dealing with,” Harper said in response to a question from the Tribune on Tuesday. … “For us, we’re trying to build a roster. We’re trying to get the number where we want it to be able to compete and practice consistently and, you know, make sure that we’re moving forward the right way.
“So, right now, the limits haven’t affected us as much as just building a roster.”
That means Mizzou may be getting close to rounding out its spring business.
The last remaining areas of need appear to be some additional frontcourt depth and a player who can run the point.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Lisa Thompson (24) guards Purdue Boilermakers guard Rashunda Jones (2) during the NCAA women’s basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue Boilermakers won 77-76.
Mizzou lost a commitment from high school signee Nikki Kerstein, who was released from her national letter of intent and has since committed to Wisconsin and former MU coach Robin Pingeton.
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Now, the only currently rostered point guard for Mizzou is Averi Kroenke, although Tyler may take on ball-handling duties.
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Missouri also looks a little light at forward and center. Reisma and returners Ma’Riya Vincent and Hannah Linthacum are the only listed frontcourt options on the roster.
It seems unlikely that the Tigers are done recruiting out of the portal, but the finished product on Harper’s first squad might not be too far away.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri women’s basketball signs 2 Power-conference transfers
