Washington Huskies women land Kentucky transfer Kaelyn Carroll
If Kaelyn Carroll taps the potential she generated as a five-star recruit and 2025 McDonald's All-American, then the Washington women's basketball team may have secured a foundational player in the portal for the second straight year.
Last year, the Huskies picked up USC transfer Avery Howell, a 2024 McDonald's All-American, who received Big Ten honorable mention recognition during the 2025-26 season and helped UW to a 22-11 finish in the NCAA tournament second round.
Carroll, a 6-foot-3 forward with three years of eligibility, could have a similar impact. She signed with Washington on Saturday, per her Instagram account.
Coming out of high school, the Dedham, Mass., native who played at prep powerhouse Tabor Academy (Mass.) was ranked No. 18 overall nationally by ESPNW.
As a freshman in 2025-26, Carroll had a relatively reduced role on veteran-laden Kentucky team in which the top six scorers were upperclassmen.
She averaged 3.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 11.9 minutes while shooting 35% from the field and 30.9% from three-point range. She appeared in 34 games as a backup for the Wildcats, who finished 25-11 in the Sweet 16.
Carroll scored 18 points and drained six three-pointers - both career highs - in Kentucky's 96-53 win over Wright State on Dec. 10. In her other double-digit scoring performance, Carroll tallied 15 points and five three-pointers in a blowout 101-39 victory against Morgan State on Nov. 28.
Carroll reunites and pairs with Big Ten All-Freshman Brynn McGaughy, a 6-3 forward and 2025 McDonald's All-American, to comprise a potentially formidable front line that also includes 6-6 forward Tilda Trygger, the North Carolina State transfer.
Washington's other newcomers include Colorado State guard Brooke Carlson, Oklahoma State guard Macey Huard and four-star recruit Amayah Sunshine Garcia.
The Huskies have 11 players on the roster and the NCAA limit is 15.
Note
Washington forward Olivia Anderson transferred to UC Santa Barbara.
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