Surprise decision: Mary Ashley Stevenson enters transfer portal, set to leave Purdue after one season

The Big Ten Freshman of the Year averaged 9.7 points and 5.1 rebounds last season

Surprise development might be an understatement when it comes to what transpired Thursday with coach Katie Gearlds’ program:

Mary Ashley Stevenson has submitted her name to the transfer portal, according to a source. Let that sink in and digest the ramifications of this decision.

It’s perfectly fine to use the word shocking in this situation. It fits. And you can guess Gearlds’ reaction when informed around midday Thursday of Stevenson’s intentions.

The reason? We’ll likely never know because social media statements are often watered down with praise and gratitude for the school, the coach, and their teammates. When a player leaves a school, no one expresses the real reasons for leaving or what they’re chasing.

It’s unlikely NIL-related, although Stevenson will be presented with lucrative opportunities from other programs, including several in the Big Ten. Money doesn’t appear to be the issue, but you never know the motivation.

Stevenson had a fantastic rookie season, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year from the media. She quickly became the future face of the program for not only her skills on the court but also her personality and maturity off the court.

Mary Ashley Stevenson (Dave Wegiel Photography)

Toward the end of the year, it was easy to see that this was becoming Stevenson’s team and the program would be in good hands during her tenure.

Stevenson ascended to one of the team’s best players after moving into the starting lineup in the second game of the season. It’s a spot she kept the rest of the year and wouldn’t move out of the lineup until she graduated.

There were plenty of ups and downs during the year and that’s not surprising. She was adjusting to the college game, the speed and physicality that comes with playing against older players. But Stevenson handled it well, battling through adversity - she suffered a broken nose and played with a protective mask - and ended the year as one of the Big Ten’s top returning players.

As the season progressed, her teammates viewed her as a leader, and the coaching staff respected that, allowing her to assume a bigger role in this area. Stevenson had put herself in a position to continue being the centerpiece of the offense - and the program.

Stevenson was also part of a talented freshman class, which earned experience last season and was poised to continue making strides going into the 2024-25 season as a group.

Gearlds and her staff have worked hard to add pieces to next year’s roster through the portal, enhancing the team’s athletic ability, skill and experience by adding what will be three players by the end of the week. And don’t forget that Amiyah Reynolds, who redshirted last season, will be healthy and ready to contribute.

Based on the developments, the Boilermakers were already a better team heading into next season.

Gearlds approached the transfer portal season the right way. She wants to build her program through the traditional recruiting ranks, signing top high school players and protecting Purdue’s backyard — the state of Indiana. She’s been careful not to recruit over her current players, ones she spent plenty of time with during the recruiting process to make sure the fit was right.

That included Stevenson, whom Gearlds made a top priority in the class and stayed on her trail for more than three years, knowing the long-term payoff.

VIDEO INTERVIEW: Incoming transfer Mahri Petree

Other programs have elected to chase big names at the expense of chemistry in search of quick fixes, crossing their fingers and hoping for success instead of establishing relationships over a long period of time. Gearlds’ approach is the correct one.

With Stevenson in the lineup, the Boilermakers would easily move up in the Big Ten standings and into contention for an NCAA tournament berth next season. It doesn’t mean it can’t happen but Stevenson’s departure makes the climb a little harder.

So, what’s next?

The sense of urgency to add a post player ramps up as there’s a huge need. Purdue has been searching for an experienced post player to pair with Stevenson since the end of the season, while two incoming freshmen—Kendall Puryear and Lana McCarthy—use the early part of the season to develop. Mila Reynolds and Alaina Harper also return next season, giving Gearlds more options.

But Puryear and McCarthy might be forced into action earlier than expected unless the Boilermakers find an addition from the portal. Akron’s Reagan Bass visited campus last week, but she is also being recruited by other programs capable of providing more NIL opportunities.

Maybe there’s a chance Stevenson will remove her name from the portal and return to the program. Who knows what Stevenson and her family are searching for, but on the surface, it appeared they had it at Purdue.