Iowa’s Caitlin Clark replacement, Hailey Van Lith’s third act

Van Lith is a unique study in how the portal can work in either a positive or negative direction production wise. Our No. 2-ranked transfer a season ago, she saw her numbers at LSU drop drastically from 19 points a game at Louisville to just over 11 per in Baton Rouge. Van Lith’s move to TCU will free her up to be more of a natural shot-taker off the dribble than she was for Kim Mulkey’s roster in 2023-24. For Van Lith, TCU has the roster flexibility for her to play major minutes with a green light.

21. JANIAH BARKER, SO., F: FROM TEXAS A&M

Since her days as a heralded prep prospect, Barker has displayed the physical gifts that could translate in a major way at the collegiate level. While she has just to go to the elite level production wise, Barker did post 12.5 points and 6.8 rebounds a game in 2023-24 in the ultra competitive SEC. Barker has a size and talent combination that few around the country can match.

22. TALIA VON OELHOFFEN, SR., G: FROM OREGON STATE TO USC

For an Oregon State roster filled with talent, von Oelhoffen was the glue at the guard spot. She has been a lynchpin for the Beavers averaging 10.7 points a game this year with 5 assists. Her production especially in the assist category will be a welcome addition to a Trojans roster that features two potential No. 1 overall WNBA Draft picks in their respective classes in Kiki Iriafen and Juju Watkins.

23. MADDIE SCHERR, SR., G: FROM KENTUCKY TO TCU

Scherr has a connection with TCU coach Mark Campbell dating back to her recruitment to Oregon in 2019. Now, Scherr will finish her collegiate career on the roster he’s in charge of. Scherr has been productive during her time in Lexington putting up All-SEC caliber numbers in spite of a roster that struggled to win much in league play. She averaged 12.5 points and 4.8 rebounds a game during the 2023-24 season. Scherr’s field goal percentage will need to increase from 33.5 percent.

24. SHAYEANN DAY-WILSON, JR., G: FROM MIAMI TO LSU

A former ACC Freshman of the Year at Duke, Day-Wilson made a move to Miami last season averaging 11.9 points and 3.5 assists per game in the process. She has the tools to potentially give LSU more stability at the lead guard position than the Tigers had during the 2023-24 season. That said, the crowds in the PMAC on a nightly basis will be substantially larger than the ones in Miami. If Day-Wilson can adjust to the stage in a timely fashion, expect LSU to be right back in the SEC and national title discussions.

25. KAILYN GILBERT, SO., G: FROM ARIZONA TO LSU

There is a ton of on-floor upside in the Gilbert addition for Kim Mulkey’s roster. Gilbert averaged 15.1 points and 5.3 rebounds a game in 23 contest 2023-24 before shutting herself down for the final four weeks of the season. Gilbert will need to be more protective of the basketball after averaging more turnovers than assists at 2.7 to 2.3 respectively. One thing is for certain in that Gilbert is a walking scoring opportunity when she checks in.

Brandon Clay is a contributor for 247Sports. You can follow him on Twitter here. 

The Brandon Clay National Scouting Report, compiled by Peach State Basketball, Inc. owner Brandon Clay, is designed to be one of the industry’s premier grassroots scouting and recruiting sources for girls’ high school basketball. The Brandon Clay Scouting Report features write-ups on the best and most talented prospects that both club teams and high schools have to offer. We are in the gym for high school games, quiet or dead period events, travel team tournaments, and exposure events across the region throughout the year. You will receive weekly information online on who is hot, who is not, and who the key players are nationwide on every level of college-bound play.