Losing one key player to the transfer portal can be a challenge for any team, but losing three at the same time is a major setback. Unfortunately, this is the situation that Vic Schaefer and the Texas Longhorns are facing right now. Within hours of the transfer portal window opening, three key forwards – Aaliyah Moore, Aaliyah Wilson, and Karisma Ortiz – announced their decision to leave the team.
This news came as a shock to many, as these three players were an integral part of the Longhorns’ roster. They were not only talented players, but also great leaders on and off the court. Their departure has left a huge dent in the team, and Coach Schaefer will have his work cut out for him in the upcoming season.
Aaliyah Moore, a 6’1″ forward, was a highly sought-after recruit and had a standout freshman season with the Longhorns. She averaged 12.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, leading the team in both categories. Her dominant post presence and ability to score in a variety of ways made her a key player for the Longhorns. However, Moore has now decided to enter the transfer portal, leaving a void in the team’s frontcourt.
Aaliyah Wilson, a 5’11” guard, was also a key contributor for the Longhorns in her sophomore year. She averaged 9.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, and was a reliable three-point shooter for the team. Wilson’s decision to transfer comes as a surprise, as she had a promising future with the Longhorns and was expected to play a bigger role in the upcoming season.
Karisma Ortiz, a 5’9″ guard, was a transfer from Penn State and made an immediate impact for the Longhorns in her junior year. She averaged 11.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, and was a versatile player who could play multiple positions. Ortiz’s decision to enter the transfer portal was unexpected, as she had a successful first season with the Longhorns and was expected to continue playing a key role in the team.
Losing these three players is undoubtedly a blow to the Texas Longhorns, but Coach Schaefer remains positive and optimistic about the team’s future. In a statement, he said, “We wish Aaliyah Moore, Aaliyah Wilson, and Karisma Ortiz all the best in their future endeavors. They are all talented players and we appreciate the contributions they made to our program.”
Coach Schaefer has a history of building successful teams, and he will have to do it once again with the Longhorns. He has already started the process of recruiting new players and has added transfer guard Ashley Chevalier to the roster. Chevalier, a 5’10” guard, played for Vanderbilt in her first two seasons and will bring much-needed experience and scoring to the team.
The Longhorns also have a talented group of returning players, including Charli Collier, Celeste Taylor, and Joanne Allen-Taylor, who will be looking to step up and fill the void left by the departing players. Collier, a 6’5″ center, was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year and averaged 13.1 points and 10.5 rebounds per game in her first season with the Longhorns. Taylor, a 5’11” guard, showed promise in her freshman year and is expected to have a bigger role in the upcoming season. Allen-Taylor, a 5’10” guard, was a key player off the bench and will now have the opportunity to shine as a starter.
The Longhorns will also welcome highly-touted recruits Rori Harmon and Kyndall Hunter to the team next season. Harmon, a 5’6″ guard, and Hunter, a 6’0″ guard, were both ranked in the top 10 of their respective positions in the 2021 recruiting class. They will bring a new level of talent and energy to the team and will help fill the void left by the departing players.
Despite the losses, the Texas Longhorns remain a talented and resilient team. With Coach Schaefer at the helm and a strong group of returning players and recruits, the team is determined to bounce back and continue their success in the upcoming season. The
