Purdue women's basketball offseason tracker: International prospect emerges
Katie Gearlds could fill out her 2025-26 roster with a combination of transfers and international players
Items of interest for this Friday:
• The Boilermakers currently have nine players on next year’s roster, but look for that number to reach double digits soon. Beyond the expected short-term addition, Katie Gearlds and her staff are looking overseas to find more prospects.
One emerged Thursday night when Taila Goodman from On3sports.com reported Purdue is among the finalists for Israeli prospect Hila Karsh. Duke and UCLA are the other finalists.
The 5-foot-8 combo guard, who is 20 years old, averaged 11 points and 3.6 rebounds last year for the U20 Israel National Team.
Yuval Shaham is Karsh’s agent and posted this on Twitter on April 11:
“Only 20 years old, Hila Karsh is already in her 3rd pro season — averaging double figures against WNBA talent and a core player for all Israeli national teams. Eligible for 4 years of NCAA ball with military exception.”
Karsh would be a freshman in the 2025-26 season.
Scouting reports indicate Karsh has a quick release, solid ball-handling skills, and plays with a high level of toughness. She would bring the experience of facing high-level European players, similar to Omer Mayer, who signed with coach Matt Painter’s program earlier this month. Mayer is also from Israel.
Purdue likely has a tough fight to secure a commitment from Karsh, but one Gearlds and her staff are embracing. Duke and UCLA are in the upper echelon of the sport right now, while the Boilermakers are trying to climb out of the Big Ten’s basement. A player of Karsh’s ability would help elevate the talent in the program.
• Is Gearlds ready to name a new assistant coach? The staff hits the recruiting road this weekend in Phoenix, Hampton, Va., Hamilton, Ohio, Manheim, Pa., and Rock Hills, S.C.
• Jersey numbers have been assigned for the incoming transfer signees and freshmen: Nya Smith (No. 3), Feldman (No. 5) and Kiki Smith (No. 23). Madison Layden-Zay keeps No. 33. Keona Douwstra will wear No. 4 and Avery Gordon is No. 55.
• Another roster note: Purdue lists Gordon at 6-foot-7. She was listed at 6-6 during her senior year at Brownsburg.
• It’s unlikely Gearlds will use 15 roster spots next season. If the Boilermakers add more players, it’s probably a combination of transfers and international prospects with four years of eligibility.
• Not sure I posted this, but the Reynolds sisters (Mila, Amiyah, and Kira), along with their father, Steven, are headed to UT Arlington and play for former Boilermaker Shereka Wright. Steven is expected to serve as an assistant coach with the program.
Rashunda Jones announced last week she’s transferring to Michigan State. Sophie Swanson (Virginia Tech) and Jordyn Poole (Dayton) have found new homes. Jayla Smith hasn’t announced her new destination.
• According to On3sports.com, more than 1,500 women’s basketball players submitted their names to the transfer portal during the last month. The portal closed on Wednesday night, but graduate transfers can still enter. The names of undergraduates are likely to surface over the next few days as schools move at their own pace to process the paperwork.
Probably 4 more signings to go. The team is lacking skilled Wings and Power Forwards and a dynamic scorer
It was an eye opener for me when I look around the women’s basketball teams that there are so many players from over seas. I always watch teams play in the Olympics but did not realize the popularity of the sports.—But I should have— look at all of the players that go over seas to play— Katie was one of them—If Purdue lands this player— look at the experience that she brings.—- Already playing big league and now could have 4 years here— don’t get any better than that.—If she would come here— she would have a player from her country on Painters team—- that might be a selling point— we will have to see what happens— GO BOILERS !!!