Following a tumultuous season, the Tennessee Lady Vols basketball program faces a complete roster overhaul. Freshman guard Jaida Civil, who was the sole returning player left on the roster, announced via Instagram that she will enter the NCAA transfer portal.
"This has been the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. After deep thought and prayer, I have decided to enter the transfer portal," Civil stated. "Tennessee will always be a part of me." In her post, she expressed gratitude to head coach Kim Caldwell, whose second year has seen a mass exodus of players.
Civil becomes the eighth Lady Vol to enter the portal this offseason. The other four players from this season's roster are graduating seniors. This leaves head coach Kim Caldwell with zero returning players for the 2025-26 season.
Caldwell's unique, fast-paced coaching style, successful at the DII level, struggled in her second year at Tennessee. The team finished 16-14, ended the season on an eight-game losing streak, and suffered a first-round exit in both the SEC and NCAA tournaments.