USC Women's Basketball: Dayana Mendes Enters Transfer Portal, Team Looks to Future Success
Dayana Mendes is set to become the first USC women's basketball player to enter the transfer portal, as reported by On3.com. The 6-foot-3 sophomore had a modest season, averaging 3.0 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in 32 appearances. USC faced challenges early on without star player JuJu Watkins, who was recovering from a torn ACL. Mendes had a standout performance, scoring 13 points in a game against Ohio State.
Despite Mendes' departure, USC managed to reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament, defeating Clemson in overtime before falling to South Carolina. Mendes was part of a group of transfers that joined USC before the 2025-26 season, including Yakiya Milton, Londynn Jones, and Kara Dunn. With Jones and Dunn graduating, USC will rely on returning standout Jazzy Davidson and a promising incoming freshman class for future success.
Coach Lindsay Gottlieb and the Trojans secured a top recruit in Saniyah Hall, a versatile 6-foot-1 guard and McDonald's All-American. They also welcomed Sitaya Fagan, a 6-foot-4 forward with international experience, who trained with the team but did not play in games this season. With these additions and the return of key players, USC looks poised for a strong future.