Purdue women's basketball offseason tracker: Indiana State transfer Saige Stahl joins 2025-26 roster
The graduate of Columbus North played two seasons for the Sycamores
Did the Boilermakers add the final roster piece to the 2025-26 season on Saturday?
Former Indiana State forward Saige Stahl became the 13th player on next year’s team after the graduate of Columbus North announced her commitment on social media.
“Staying home,” Stahl wrote on Instagram.
Katie Gearlds isn’t expected to carry 15 players on the roster, leaving one spot. Coaches prefer to have their teams intact when summer classes and offseason workouts begin in June, but the transfer portal allows for more flexibility.
Stahl is the 10th player who wasn’t on last year’s team to join the program, including Madison Layden-Zay. Layden-Zay played for the Boilermakers for four years before what was believed to be her final season in 2023-24.
The holdovers from last year’s team are junior McKenna Layden and sophomores Lana McCarthy and Kendal Puryear.
Stahl, who entered the transfer portal in mid-April, is expected to provide depth to the front line.
The 6-foot-1 Stahl played two seasons for the Sycamores, appearing in 45 games with nine starts. Stahl averaged 7.4 points and 7.2 rebounds last season, including a double-double (16 points, 13 rebounds) against Purdue in December. She produced six double-doubles last season. Stahl also considered Boston College, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Nevada.
Based on her two seasons at ISU, Stahl’s offense will come from inside the 3-point line. She attempted nine 3-pointers and shot 54.7% from 2-point range.
Seniors: Madison Layden-Zay, Taylor Feldman (Northern Arizona)
Juniors: McKenna Layden, Taylor Henderson (UNC Wilmington), Kiki Smith (Arkansas), Tara Daye (St. John’s), Saige Stahl (Indiana State)
Sophomores: Kendall Puryear, Lana McCarthy, Nya Smith (UNC Greensboro)
Freshman: Keona Douwstra (Netherlands); Avery Gordon (Brownsburg); Hila Karsh (Israel).
Just think— 10 new players except 3 holdovers from last year—Wow!— seems unreal— but that is the era that we are living in now. Players have total control up to a point—they don’t get to pick the team where they want to land— the team picks them.— Might be a two way street— but it can get crazy out there.— I have to learn most of the players names again— in the past 3 or 4 would graduate and 3 or 4 new ones come in— Welcome to the new world— I Kinda like it more than I dislike it.—As they say—IT CAN BE A GAME CHANGER—PERIOD.—I am looking for our hold-overs to do good—Our 2 sophomore front liners— they will have a break-out year— and I can’t wait to see the 2 Sisters play together— Yes— I am ready and I also know that the other teams are getting better also— I wouldn’t want it any other way— Ed from Wanamaker
I remember going to the IN state game, and Saige did everything in her power to keep her team in it. What a good pick up!