2026-27 roster outlook following Arizona State's transfer portal additions

Molly Miller's first year in Tempe exceeded even the most optimistic Sun Devil's expectations. Taking over a program that had won just 29 games in their past three seasons, Miller led Arizona State to a 24-11 record and an appearance in the First Four of the NCAA Tournament.

With four players graduating from that roster, as well as four others entering the transfer portal, Miller and her staff took to the portal again to reshape the roster going into her second season. The quest to build off of what came before will feature a few familiar faces, but Miller also capitalized on the momentum of last year to land some stellar names in the portal.

Here is an overview of where the roster stands right now.

Projected Starting 5

G Rashunda Jones G Ruby Whitehorn G Madi Morson F McKinna Brackens F Heloisa Carrera

Projecting the starting five right now is difficult only because there are about eight or nine players Miller could feasibly rely on to start for the Sun Devils. That's a great problem to have.

With Last-Tear Poa out of eligibility, Arizona State needs a new point guard to help facilitate the offense. Rashunda Jones jumps out as the most obvious fit there. Known by the nickname "Spider," Jones was named to the Big Ten All-Defense team last year with Michigan State; with Marley Washenitz moving on to the next level, Miller will need Jones' defensive stopping power out there.

Ruby Whitehorn and Madi Morson are probably the best bets to start alongside Jones out on the wing. Once a rising star at Tennessee, legal issues (and, frankly, a coach with little patience) led to Whitehorn's dismissal from the program. Her physical two-way skills are a natural fit in Miller's system. Meanwhile, Morson is a lethal sharpshooter, connecting on 44.1% of her three's in the last two years as a starter, leading Central Michigan in scoring this past season.

The frontcourt figures to be the same as last year, given that both starters are returning. McKinna Brackens was one of the Sun Devils' most reliable players last year, finishing second in points, first in rebounds, and third in blocks per game. She'll step into a prime leadership role this year and likely be a fixture of the offense, as she was this past year.

Heloisa Carrera remains as the physical post presence with plenty of defense to spare. The Brazilian big finished third in scoring, second in rebounding, and led the team in blocks. Down the stretch of the season, Brackens and Carrera became an especially difficult duo for opponents to contend with.

Bench Players

G Amaya Williams G Ella Ryan G Londyn Parker G Averie Lower G Quin'Nya Gray de Sanders F Ayanna-Sarai Darrington F Deborah Davenport F Martina Fantini

There's not much question that Arizona State will be deeper than they were a year ago. Miller and her staff have made sure of that.

Amaya Williams figures to have an increased role from last year. Williams flipped her commitment from GCU to Arizona State when Miller took the job, and she made three starts at point guard as a freshman while Poa dealt with injuries.

Ella Ryan is another sharpshooter who complements Morson very well. She hit on just over 41% of her three's this past season as a freshman for Quinnipiac. Many times this past year, Arizona State struggled beyond the arc outside of Washenitz and Gabby Elliott. The hope is that Morson and Ryan can change that.

Ayanna-Sarai Darrington also comes from Central Michigan, having finished second behind Morson in scoring for the Chippewas this year. At the same height as Carrera, Darrington gives the Sun Devils another physical presence down low.

Deborah Davenport and Martina Fantini both return looking to build on the growth they showed last year. Fantini came over from Italy as a very raw freshman but began to flash potential as a long post player, while Davenport evolved into a do-it-all wing with the competitive fire that Miller craves from her players.

A trio of incoming freshmen also stand a chance to get in on the action.

Londyn Parker is a true point guard with size and handles who often stands out on defense. Averie Lower is another sharpshooter who some have considered the best three-point merchant in this year's high school class. And Quin'Nya Gray de Sanders is a classic defensive stopper with a strong inside game on offense.

All three incoming freshmen are tailor-made for what Miller wants to do, and they helped Arizona State place in ESPN's Top 25 recruiting rankings for 2026.

The Sun Devils have a very promising mix of returning contributors and productive transfers. As it stands right now, Miller will have some tough choices to make when she puts together her first starting lineup, but that just means she'll have starter-caliber players coming off the bench.

It's a great first step towards taking the Sun Devils back to the NCAA Tournament this next year and, hopefully, going further than the First Four.