Lady Vols basketball lost its most experienced potential returner to the transfer portal on Thursday. Talaysia Cooper announced that she intended to enter the portal once it opens next week on her Instagram.
Cooper will have one year of eligibility remaining to use at her next stop. She’s considered a WNBA draft prospect, as well, with the potential to be picked following that season.
As Cooper announced her departure, she discussed her decision in a statement that went with the announcement.
“First, I just want to say thank you to the University of Tennessee, the coaching staff, my teammates, and everyone who has supported me during my time here,” Cooper wrote. “Being a Lady Vol has meant more to me than I can fully put into words. I’ve grown a lot on and off the court, and I’ll always be grateful for the relationships and experiences I’ve gained here. After a lot of thought and prayer, I’ve decided to enter the transfer portal to continue my journey. This decision wasn’t easy at all, but I’m trusting what’s best for me moving forward. I will always have love and respect for Tennessee and everything this program stands for. Thank you for everything.”
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Cooper was Tennessee’s leading scorer and assister in the 2025-26 season, posting 16.0 points and 3.6 assists per game. This came on 42.9% shooting from the field and 34.3% from range. She also contributed 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 steals per contest.
Cooper appeared in 29 games during the 2025-26 season, starting in 25. However, in the SEC Tournament loss to Alabama, she was benched by Kim Caldwell for the majority of the second half. Caldwell said it was a coach’s decision, but didn’t expand on the exact reason for the decision. She returned as a full member in the NCAA Tournament.
This was Cooper’s second season on the court at UT, but third in the program. After beginning her career at South Carolina, she transferred in under Kellie Harper. The timing of her transfer left her ineligible, though, and she sat out the season.
Now, just one player from last year’s roster remains on the team. Jaida Civil, a freshman and former five-star recruit, has not announced her intention for next season yet.
