Kentucky Wildcats guard Asia Boone (8) defends Arkansas Razorbacks guard Bonnie Deas (22) Wednesday, March 4, 2026, during the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament first round game at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.
UCLA women’s basketball landed Arkansas guard Bonnie Deas through the transfer portal on Thursday, according to a report from On3. Deas, who has three seasons of eligibility remaining, is the first player to commit to UCLA from the transfer portal this offseason.
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Deas was a standout freshman for Arkansas, averaging 10.2 points, nine rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. She also started in all 32 games for the Razorbacks and led the team in rebounds and assists.
“Bonnie has the great ability to play downhill, she’s dynamic and she does a great job getting into the lane,” NBA International Elite Women’s Operations Lead Cinnamon Lister said, per Arkansas Athletics. “She also stretches the floor with her ability to shoot from deep.”
Deas also has experience at the international level. She helped lead Australia to a silver medal at the 2025 FIBA Under-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup, where she averaged 12.3 points and 7.7 rebounds.
In that tournament, Deas received All-Star Five honors. She was joined by UCLA rising sophomore forward Sienna Betts and UCLA incoming freshman Somto Okafor, which means the Bruins have three of the 2025 All-Star Five.
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UCLA Will Recruit Heavily in the Transfer Portal
Before winning the national championship, UCLA coach Cori Close told reporters she plans to recruit at least five players through the transfer portal this offseason, according to the Los Angeles Times. A player like Deas could help fill a similar role as Gabriela Jaquez, who is one of six Bruins entering the 2026 WNBA Draft.
Kentucky Wildcats guard Asia Boone (8) defends Arkansas Razorbacks guard Bonnie Deas (22) Wednesday, March 4, 2026, during the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament first round game at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.
UCLA will still have Betts, guards Christina Karamouzi and Lena Bilic and forwards Amanda Muse and Timea Gardiner on the squad next season. The Bruins are also adding Okafor to the roster.
Okafor will be a freshman, while Karamouzi, Bilic and Betts will be entering their sophomore seasons. Gardiner is the currently the only senior on next season’s roster. Therefore, UCLA could benefit from adding some more veteran talent to the team through the portal.
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Winning the national championship this season will certainly give UCLA an advantage in the transfer portal. Betts’ mother, Michelle Betts, is also actively contributing to the recruiting process through the portal.
Photo Credit: Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
