Purdue women's basketball offseason tracker: Kiki Smith commits
Coach Katie Gearlds adds former Arkansas guard to the 2025-26 roster
Less than a week after visiting campus, former Arkansas guard Kiki Smith is transferring to Purdue.
Smith announced her decision on social media on Saturday. The native of Topeka, Kan., was in West Lafayette on Monday and Tuesday. She informed coach Katie Gearlds of her decision on Friday night.
The 5-foot-7 guard is the third player Gearlds and her staff have secured from the portal, joining Madison Layden-Zay and Taylor Feldman. The additions give the Boilermakers eight players on next season’s roster.
Smith was named the 2024 NJCAA DI Women’s Basketball Player of the Year and First Team All-American at Hutchinson Community College before transferring to Arkansas. She led Hutchinson to a 37-0 record and the national championship.
She started 22 games for the Razorbacks, averaging 10.2 points and shooting 40.6% from 3-point range (58 of 143) in all games. She shot 38.5% from beyond the arc in Southeastern Conference games. Smith scored 20 or more points three times, including 23 against Alabama. She had five games where she made four or more 3-pointers.
Gearlds emphasized adding perimeter players from the portal since Purdue appears set inside with sophomores Lana McCarthy, Kendall Puryear, and incoming freshman Avery Gordon. The Boilermakers also needed to find 3-point shooting since they lost 84% of the production to either graduation or the portal.
Smith would appear to slide into the shooting guard role, with Feldman handling most of the point guard duties based on the roster's current makeup. Layden-Zay demonstrated during her four seasons with the Boilermakers that she can play multiple positions.
Women’s basketball programs will be limited to 15 players, assuming the House v. NCAA Settlement is approved. Not all 15 are required to be on scholarship or receive revenue-sharing, which begins on July 1.
Purdue still needs to add more perimeter players, and it probably wouldn’t hurt to bring in more depth inside, especially at the power forward spot. The portal window closes for undergraduates on Wednesday.
Tentative 2025-26 roster (seasons of eligibility remaining)
1: Madison Layden-Zay, Taylor Feldman (transfer from Northern Arizona)
2: McKenna Layden, Kiki Smith (transfer from Arkansas)
3: Lana McCarthy, Kendall Puryear
4: Avery Gordon, Keona Douwstra
No. 1: Not sure they'll use all 15 roster spots.
No. 2: The number is expected to drop in a couple of days
We have 8 or 9 players now and I have to say— we are upgrading— proven players coming in that can score and play D and lets just say it —- know how to play and know how to WIN.— I can’t wait to see this team this fall..I will say Good Job Katie— this team can be the start of the future and like they say—-“THE FUTURE IS NOW” and I know that the PURDUE fans are ready.—- Let’s face — this team can compete and 4 more players coming in will be “ICING ON THE CAKE”—- One thing I know for sure—whether it’s football — soccer— or basketball —- teams are made in the off season— so—- we have some months to put this team where we want it—and it will be up to the leaders on the team that make it happen—-Weight Room-Shooting drills — Running sprints—-ETC.— I can’t wait to see this team in action—- soooo —- in ending— I want to wish you the very best—- GO BOILERS AND HAMMER DOWN !!!— Ed from Wamamaker