Notre Dame forward Kylee Watson enters the transfer portal after missing the 2024-25 season due to injury, joining multiple other Irish players seeking new opportunities.

The landscape of college basketball is ever-evolving, with each passing season bringing changes to teams, rosters, and expectations. Kylee Watson, a forward for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, recently made headlines by entering the transfer portal, following a difficult and injury-riddled 2024-25 season. Watson’s decision to leave the program comes as part of a broader trend, with several Notre Dame players opting to explore opportunities elsewhere. This marks a significant development for the Irish, who are now faced with the task of rebuilding their roster and adjusting to the loss of a player who, when healthy, was considered one of their most promising talents.

This article delves into the circumstances surrounding Watson’s decision, her impact on Notre Dame basketball, the broader implications for the team’s future, and how the Irish will look to navigate this period of transition.

The Rise of Kylee Watson: A Promising Start at Notre Dame

Kylee Watson’s journey to Notre Dame began with significant expectations. Hailing from Delaware, Watson was regarded as one of the top forwards in her class when she committed to play for the Irish. As a high school standout, she had already shown an impressive skill set—capable of both scoring and defending at a high level. Her combination of athleticism, length, and basketball IQ made her a highly sought-after recruit, and Notre Dame was thrilled to secure her commitment.

In her early years with the Irish, Watson demonstrated that she was capable of contributing right away. As a freshman, she displayed flashes of brilliance, earning playing time and contributing to the team’s success in the ACC. Her ability to stretch the floor with her shooting, combined with her defensive capabilities, made her an intriguing prospect for both the Irish coaching staff and the fan base.

By her sophomore season, Watson had solidified herself as a key player in the rotation. Though she wasn’t necessarily the focal point of Notre Dame’s offense, she was an important piece on both ends of the floor. Her versatility as a forward allowed head coach Niele Ivey to experiment with different lineup combinations, and Watson’s ability to guard multiple positions made her an invaluable asset.

Watson was also known for her rebounding tenacity and hustle on defense. She was never one to shy away from the physicality of the game, and her presence in the paint, both offensively and defensively, made her a key figure in Notre Dame’s rotation. With her potential, Watson looked poised to become one of the standout players in the ACC.

The 2024-25 Season: Injury Strikes and Watson’s Setback

However, the 2024-25 season was a difficult one for Watson, who found herself sidelined for the entire campaign due to an injury. The details surrounding the injury were kept relatively quiet by the program, but the impact on Watson and the team was undeniable. As a player who had been developing steadily and was expected to take on a larger role in her third season, her absence left a significant hole in Notre Dame’s frontcourt.

For Watson, the injury not only meant missing an entire season of college basketball but also derailing her development at a critical point in her career. As an athlete, being sidelined for an extended period can be frustrating, and for a player with aspirations of making it to the professional level, missing a season can create long-term challenges. The injury also forced Watson to watch from the sidelines as her teammates navigated a season without her contributions.

From a team perspective, Notre Dame had to adjust to Watson’s absence. While the Irish had other talented players on their roster, Watson’s presence would have undoubtedly bolstered their frontcourt depth. Her rebounding, shot-blocking, and versatile scoring would have made Notre Dame a more formidable force in the ACC and beyond.

Entering the Transfer Portal: A New Chapter for Watson

After missing the entire 2024-25 season, Kylee Watson made the decision to enter the transfer portal. This move came as part of a larger trend within the Notre Dame women’s basketball program, as several other players, both from the men’s and women’s teams, have opted to explore new opportunities through the transfer portal.

For Watson, entering the portal represents an opportunity to find a fresh start and continue her basketball journey at another program. After missing an entire season due to injury, she may have felt that the best course of action for her development was to find a new team where she could showcase her abilities and contribute on the court again. The decision to transfer is never an easy one, especially for a player who has spent multiple years with a program, but it is sometimes the best choice for a player’s career.

Watson’s decision also raises questions about the future direction of Notre Dame women’s basketball. The Irish have a strong tradition and a winning culture under head coach Niele Ivey, but Watson’s departure is another example of the roster shakeup that has affected many programs across the country. For Ivey, the challenge will be to rebuild and maintain the program’s competitiveness as they face the loss of talent.

The Broader Impact of the Transfer Portal on Notre Dame Women’s Basketball

Kylee Watson’s departure is significant not just because of her potential on the court, but because it comes as part of a broader trend of players leaving Notre Dame and entering the transfer portal. Over the past few seasons, the transfer portal has had a growing impact on college sports, particularly in women’s basketball, where player movement has become increasingly common.

For Notre Dame women’s basketball, the transfer portal has been both a blessing and a challenge. On one hand, the portal has allowed the program to bring in talented players from other schools, enhancing their depth and flexibility. However, it has also seen some key players leave the program in search of new opportunities, which has forced Ivey to adjust her roster and her expectations.

Watson’s decision to transfer follows the departures of several other players from the program. Some have left for personal reasons, while others may have sought more playing time or a new environment. For Notre Dame, maintaining a cohesive team culture while dealing with the fluidity of the transfer portal will require careful management and a continued focus on player development.

What’s Next for Kylee Watson?

Now that Watson has entered the transfer portal, she will likely be evaluating her options for the next stage of her college basketball career. Given her skill set, she is expected to garner interest from several programs looking to add a versatile forward with the ability to contribute on both ends of the floor. Watson’s rebounding, shot-blocking, and ability to stretch the floor with her shooting make her an attractive option for teams seeking to add depth to their frontcourt.

As a player with proven experience in one of the most competitive conferences in college basketball, Watson will likely have the opportunity to choose from a number of programs across the country. Her next destination will be crucial for her development, as she looks to get back on track after an injury-riddled season and build on the promise she showed earlier in her career.

Notre Dame’s Future Without Watson

For Notre Dame, Watson’s departure leaves a gap in the frontcourt that will need to be filled. With a roster that includes several talented players, including a strong incoming class of recruits, the Irish have the potential to remain competitive in the ACC and nationally. However, Watson’s absence does shift the balance of the team’s frontcourt, and head coach Niele Ivey will need to find ways to adjust her rotations and game plans.

One option for Ivey is to rely more heavily on the returning players in the frontcourt, such as Maya Dodson, who will likely play an even more pivotal role for the team in the coming season. Additionally, the Irish coaching staff will look to develop their younger players and potentially recruit new talent through the transfer portal to fill the void left by Watson’s departure.

As always, Notre Dame women’s basketball is a program built on a foundation of hard work, talent, and resilience. While Watson’s exit is a blow to the team, it is a challenge that the Irish will no doubt overcome with the same determination that has defined their program for years.

 Moving Forward

The news of Kylee Watson’s entry into the transfer portal marks a significant turning point for both the player and the Notre Dame women’s basketball program. Watson’s injury-ridden 2024-25 season has led to her seeking new opportunities, and it will be fascinating to see where her basketball career takes her next. For Notre Dame, the loss of Watson represents another chapter in the ongoing evolution of the program, as they navigate the complexities of the transfer portal while maintaining their competitive edge in the ever-changing world of college basketball.

As head coach Niele Ivey continues to guide the program through these transitions, the team will look to build on their strengths and adapt to a new roster dynamic. Watson’s departure, though unfortunate, opens the door for other players to step up and contribute, and it serves as a reminder of the unpredictability that comes with the nature of college sports.

The road ahead for both Watson and Notre Dame is full of potential. Whether she finds success at another program or the Irish continue to develop their next generation of stars, the future of both parties remains bright.