BYU women’s basketball could lose a highly impactful player for second consecutive offseason.
Lauren Gustin, the best player last season for the Cougars, has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, she confirmed to The Salt Lake Tribune confirmed on Sunday.
While in many cases a player entering the portal means they are leaving a program, Gustin said that is not necessarily the case for her.
“I am just evaluating some additional options for my final year of eligibility,” Gustin told The Tribune. “There is no guarantee that I am leaving BYU which is why I have not made any announcements on social media.”
Gustin herself announced her decision to enter the portal later Sunday evening.
“Cougar nation, I can’t thank you enough for the love and support you have given me the last [four] years at BYU,” Gustin wrote. “It has been such a privilege to be part of the women’s basketball program.”
If BYU were to lose Gustin, it would be a big blow to the Cougars. Several productive players from the 2021-22 season had already graduated, and Shaylee Gonzales had already transferred to Texas. Those departures left Gustin in an increased leadership role and as a person who was heavily relied upon on both ends of the floor.
The 6-foot-1 junior averaged 16.1 points and 16.7 rebounds in more than 38 minutes per game in 2022-23. She was among the leaders in the country in double-doubles.
Gustin was named the West Coast Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year. She shared the accolade with Ayanna Khalfani from San Diego.
Amanda Barcello reportedly entered the transfer portal recently, as did with Alyssa Blanck, who ended up committing to the University of Utah.
Amber Whiting took over as BYU’s coach before last season.
Follow @AlexVReporting