Purdue women's basketball offseason tracker: A comeback for Madison Layden?
Layden entered the transfer portal on Friday after not playing this past season
Is Madison Layden preparing for a possible return?
Layden, who played for the program for four seasons, submitted her name into the transfer portal on Friday. Talia Goodman from on3sports.com first reported the news.
According to a source, Layden entered the portal as a graduate transfer. Layden has one year of eligibility remaining but didn’t play last season.
We’ve learned Layden has been working out at Compete Training Academy, which is owned and operated by Jordan and Courtney Delks. Courtney played for the Boilermakers and scored over 1,600 points.
This week, Layden was spotted at Mackey Arena’s Cardinal Court going through shooting drills with coach Katie Gearlds in attendance.
Does that mean Layden will join the program again? Not necessarily. By entering the portal, the graduate of Northwestern High School near Kokomo could have other options besides Purdue.
A lot has to play out during the next few months with the transfer portal before determining what the roster looks like next season and if Layden fits into the plans. Purdue has already lost three players - the Reynolds sisters (Mila, Amiyah and 2025 signee Kira), leaving the program with eight players heading into next season before additions.
As a senior, Layden averaged 9.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and shot 39.3% from 3-point range. In February 2024, she elected to finish her career, bypassing another season. Later, Layden opted out of playing in the WNIT.
Layden was married to Rees Zay in the fall.
Layden’s younger sister, McKenna, finished her sophomore season with the Boilermakers.