Lady Vols basketball is taking a huge blow through the transfer portal. Star guard Talaysia Cooper announced on her Instagram on Thursday that she intends to enter. She will have one season of eligibility remaining and is considered a WNBA draft prospect.
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.
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Cooper stuck through the coaching change to Caldwell and had a successful redshirt-sophomore year in her first season. Through her two seasons in Knoxville, she earned All-SEC honors both years and was an SEC All-Defensive Team member in the 2024-25 campaign.
After her final loss at Tennessee, Cooper was asked what needs to change going forward for the Lady Vols program.
“Effort,” Cooper said. “Like Coach Kim said, this is an effort-based program. If you don’t want to work hard, if you don’t want to press, don’t think about coming here because this is what she does, and she’s not changing it.”
This is now seven of eight possible returners entering the portal. The only remaining potential returner is Jaida Civil. Alyssa Latham, Kaniya Boyd, Lauren Hurst, Deniya Prawl and Mia and Mya Pauldo are all also transferring.
