When the Virginia Tech women's basketball team was bounced in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at the hands of Oregon, second-year head coach Megan Duffy didn't beat around the bush about building a roster for next season.
She had a lot of players who are eligible to come back to Blacksburg next season, and if she were able to get them all to stay, then the Hokies would be set up for another strong season. Sadly, in the current day and age of college sports, keeping players around for more than one or two years is happening less and less.
First, it was reported that Kayl Petersen and Sophie Swanson are hitting the portal, but Carleigh Wenzel, Aniya Trent, and Amani Jenkins all announced they were coming back for another season under Duffy. There is still a decision that needs to come from Carys Baker, but on Saturday, Talia Goodman of On3 reported that Mackenzie Nelson is going to enter the portal. That's the first tough loss under Duffy she has had in Blacksburg.
Virginia Tech women's basketball guard Mackenzie Nelson to enter the Transfer Portal
This is a devastating loss for Virginia Tech. Nelson was a valuable piece to the lineup in 2025-26 as the Hokies point guard. She led the ACC in assist-to-turnover ratio and was second in the nation at 6.0, according to David Cunningham of Tech Sideline.
She averaged 8 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.4 steals a game. She has two years of eligibility remaining. She should be a sought-after player in the portal, and her sister plays at Syracuse, which might be something to keep an eye on.
Again, the biggest name left in terms of her future being up in the air is Baker. If she leaves, then Virginia Tech will need to do some serious work in the portal.