Last returning player on Lady Vols' roster enters portal

Field Level Media|published: Tue 7th April, 12:22 2026

Tennessee guard Jaida Civil (15) subs out in the final moments of the NCAA college basketball game against Missouri on Feb 12, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

And then there were none. Freshman guard Jaida Civil, the last returning player remaining on the Tennessee women's basketball roster, has entered the transfer portal.

In addition to the mass exodus following a 16-14 season, five-star guard Oliviyah Edwards has requested a release from her commitment to the Lady Vols. She is ranked No. 5 in the Class of 2026 by the 247 Sports composite.

"This has been the hardest decision I've ever had to make," Civil posted Monday on Instagram. "After deep thought and prayer, I have decided to enter the transfer portal."

Civil, part of Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell's heralded 2025 recruiting class, averaged 6.4 points and 4.0 rebounds in 30 games (10 starts) this season.

She joins teammates Deniya Prawl, Alyssa Latham, Kaniya Boyd, Lauren Hurst, Mia Pauldo, Mya Pauldo and Talaysia Cooper in the transfer portal. Janiah Barker, Nya Robertson and Zee Spearman are among the seniors who are graduating.

Ranked No. 8 to begin the 2025-26 season, the Lady Vols fell out of the Top 25 by mid-February and ended the season with an eight-game losing streak. Tennessee's season began with an 80-77 loss to North Carolina State on Nov. 4 and closed with a 76-61 loss to the Wolfpack in the first round of the Women's NCAA Tournament on March 20.

Caldwell, 37, is 40-24 after two seasons in Knoxville, including a 16-16 record in Southeastern Conference play. The Lady Vols lost in the Sweet 16 of the 2025 Women's NCAA Tournament.

With Edwards seeking to reopen her recruitment, the only incoming player for Tennessee is four-star forward Gabby Minus of Dacula, Ga.

ESPN reporter Holly Rowe slammed Tennessee athletic director Danny White in a since-deleted post Monday on social media.

"What Danny White is allowing to happen to @LadyVol_Hoops is making me so sad. Gut-wrenching to watch him let one of the greatest programs in women's sports history disintegrate. I am devastated," Rowe posted.

The Lady Vols won eight national championships and reached 18 Final Fours under legendary coach Pat Summitt, who compiled a 923-160 record in 31 seasons (1981-2012).

--Field Level Media