When the Virginia Tech women's basketball season ended at the hands of Oregon in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, you knew there were going to be some changes coming with the roster for Megan Duffy. The only question was who was going and who was staying.
In the end, two big names are leaving in the Transfer Portal, Carys Baker and Mackenzie Nelson. Both are major losses to Duffy and the 2026-27 Hokies. Carliegh Wenzel announced that she is coming back next season, which is huge news.
Duffy will be building around her as she works on putting together a roster for next season. She already has a portal commitment from Tennessee transfer Alyssa Latham. Speaking of Tennessee, they are reportedly hosting Nelson this weekend for a visit in Knoxville.
Virginia Tech point guard Mackenzie Nelson is reportedly visiting Tennessee
Nelson is reportedly visiting the University of Tennessee and head coach Kim Caldwell, who is looking to completely rebuild her roster after a mass exodus through the Transfer Portal the last couple of weeks. Caldwell just completed her second season in Knoxville and was hired in the same coaching cycle as Duffy was in Blacksburg.
Nelson had a tremendous season for Virginia Tech in 2025-26. She led the ACC in assist-to-turnover ratio and was second in the nation at 6.0 a game, while averaging eight points, 5.7 assists, and 1.4 steals a game. She has two years of eligibility remaining, and her sister plays at Syracuse.
Nelson leaving was surprising, but given the current state of college sports, nothing should be surprising anymore. The Vols are hosting another guard, this one from another SEC school, Florida’s Laila Reynolds, along with Nelson. Given how much of a roster rebuild is needed at Tennessee, look for Caldwell to make them a priority this weekend.