When North Carolina fell short in a nail-biter against TCU, losing 76–73, their head coach Wes Moore didn’t sugarcoat what set the two teams apart. “Again, [TCU is a] great team. I knew it was going to be a tough game. You have a 6-7 post player who is really good and you have all kinds of shooters around her. It’s a tough matchup,” he said postgame. And he wasn’t wrong. That combination of interior size and perimeter firepower is what’s made TCU such a nightmare for opposing teams.
And that’s what worked for Horned Frogs. A regular season title, a Big 12 tournament championship, 33 wins, and their first-ever Sweet 16 appearance- they had it all. It was the kind of run that turns heads across the nation. And yet… they weren’t done.
Instead of kicking back and enjoying the afterglow of a magical season, head coach Mark Campbell went right back to work. Late Sunday evening, TCU struck again in the transfer portal—this time landing Arizona State forward Kennedy Basham. At 6’7″, the Phoenix native averaged 5.7 points and nearly 6.5 rebounds per game, and she brings exactly what Campbell’s system thrives on: size, length, and presence in the paint.
Why her? Because she fits the blueprint. Basham becomes the fourth player 6’7” or taller to join TCU this off-season. She’ll be suiting up alongside Kentucky transfer Clara Silva and two incoming freshmen: Emily Hunter and 6’8” Sarah Portlock. And that’s not all.
What in the world are teams going to do with TCU’s height next season
Marta Suárez 6’3”
Clara Bielefeld 6’4”
Clara Silva 6’7”
Kennedy Basham 6’7”
Sarah Portlock 6’8”
Emily Hunter 6’8”
— E J (@EJayArrow) April 14, 2025
The Horned Frogs also picked up 6’3” Cal transfer Marta Suárez, who adds a different dimension with her perimeter game and veteran experience.
And this was how for the third straight year, Cambell has assembles one of the most impressive transfer portal classes in the country. As the news about the fourth transfer portal addition came out, fans as usual took notice. But, their response was quite shocking!
Head coach Cambell’s latest move leaves fans shocked.
Spectators after the official announcement, sprinted straight to the comment section. And what had them so hyped? It was the TCU “heightened” frogs. “This NBA level size but in women’s basketball ,” one fan wrote, clearly in awe.
No doubt, with names like Clara Silva (6’6”), Kennedy Basham (6’7”), and Sarah Portlock and Emily Hunter (both 6’8”) on the roster, it’s giving serious NBA vibes. To put it into perspective, the average NBA player stands around 6’6” during the 2023–24 season.
Of course, that varies by position as guards generally hover between 6’2” to 6’4”, while forwards and centers can easily top 6’9”. But when you compare that to collegiate women’s basketball, where the average height for guards is about 5’8”, TCU’s frontcourt looks downright towering. “This the NBA??? WoWzeRs..” another user added, capturing the collective disbelief.
But there’s strategy behind the size. It’s not just for show. Height equals reach, and that translates to rebounds, blocks, and scoring over defenders with ease. Just look at Angel Reese. At 6’3”, she doesn’t just out-hustle opponents, she out-rebounds them, too. Leading the WNBA in boards with 13.1 rebounds per game, she’s the perfect example of how size combined with skill can dominate.
Some fans joked, “More leg room on chartered flights,” while others questioned whether all these giants would even stay past one season. Still, the advantage goes far beyond the box score. Players like Kamilla Cardoso and A’ja Wilson thrive in the paint not just because of skill, but because their size allows them to avoid getting blocked, alter shots with ease, and finish plays others couldn’t even dream of.
And with stars like 6’7″ Sedona Prince and Hailey Van Lith headed for the 2025 WNBA Draft, TCU needed a serious frontcourt rebuild. Now, they’ve got it—and then some.
TUCSON, AZ – FEBRUARY 16: TCU Horned Frogs guard Hailey Van Lith 10 during a basketball game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Arizona Wildcats on February 16, 2025, at McKale Center in Tucson, AZ. Photo by Christopher Hook/Icon Sportswire COLLEGE BASKETBALL: FEB 16 Women s – TCU at Arizona EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon25021688
The new Horned Frogs lineup features international and domestic standouts: Clara Silva led Portugal at the 2024 FIBA U18 Women’s EuroBasket, averaging 18.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. Germany’s Clara Bielefeld, just behind her, stuffed the stat sheet with 7.4 points, 9.4 boards, and 5.4 assists. And Marta Suárez? The former Tennessee leader brings versatility, leadership, and a reliable shot.
Then come the skyscrapers, Basham, Portlock, and Hunter. But, it’s not just about their size on paper, it’s how they use it. They block shots without even jumping, rebound in traffic, and create impossible mismatches.
“Only play two at a time,” one user quipped. But good luck to any coach trying to choose. So, what do you think? Is TCU assembling a super-sized dream team?
The post “This is NBA?”: Women’s College Basketball Community in Disbelief as TCU’s Exceptional Roster Gains Spotlight appeared first on EssentiallySports.