Purdue Women’s Basketball: Stevenson hits transfer portal

In a bit of a shocker, Purdue women’s basketball could be losing one of its key pieces of the future.

According to published reports, freshman Mary Ashley Stevenson has entered the transfer portal. Stevenson was set to be the lone returning starter for Purdue women’s basketball after the Boilermakers saw the other four starters graduate.

The move is a bit of a surprise considering Stevenson had quite a bit of success as a freshman under Purdue women’s basketball head coach Katie Gearlds.

Stevenson was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. It marked the first time in two decades Purdue had a Big Ten Freshman of the Year and the first time under Gearlds the Boilermakers had a player win the award.

Last season, Stevenson averaged 9.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and an assist. Against Big Ten foes, Stevenson averaged 10.2 points and 4.6 rebounds. In addition, she finished second among freshmen in the Big Ten in rebounding in conference games and second in scoring.

She was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week twice and earned the first USBWA National Freshman of the Week honor in Purdue history.

Gearlds said a major difference in Stevenson’s game last season was her maturity.

“There’s been some games, she has been really good and other games, you can tell she just hasn’t played a lot. Anytime she allows the game to come to her, she is really good. Her work all year long has been so solid. We thrust her into it right away and she accepted the challenge. I am really proud of her,” Gearlds said.