While many fans held out hopes that junior forward Kiki Iriafen would return to Stanford her entrance into the transfer portal last week indicated otherwise. Stanford women’s basketball coach Kate Paye informed the media on Wednesday that Iriafen expressed her intent to move on from the program.

“We are disappointed … but if that’s a choice that she feels like she has to make, we respect it,” Paye said. “She told me that she’s made the decision to enter the portal for personal, family reasons.”

It now appears that Stanford’s younger players will step into more significant roles and obtain more playing time. 

At forward, junior Brooke Demetre will have the most experience heading into next season. But Stanford has a reserve of talented young forwards like freshman Nunu Agara, freshman Courtney Ogden, incoming freshman Harper Peterson and incoming freshman Kennedy Ume who will chase opportunities for playing time.

On the perimeter, junior Elena Bosgana, junior Jznaiya Harriel and sophomore Talana Lepolo will likely lead the way, with younger players like freshman Chloe Clardy and incoming freshman Shay Ijiwoye expected to contribute.  

But while Stanford’s roster will be deep with talent, Iriafen will still be a huge loss for the Cardinal, as they will miss the star forward’s scoring prowess and experience.