Former UCLA Bruins forward Kendall Dudley is closing her chapter with her current team and starting a new one with Michigan. In light of her departure, her teammates showed support for her as she went through the NCAA transfer portal.
Over at Instagram, Kendall Dudley posted a photo of herself donning the Michigan Wolverines jersey. Dudley got overwhelming support from the comments section, including inputs from her UCLA teammates Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice.
“I’m a Michigan fan now,” Betts said. “I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU”
“Love uuu,” Rice commented.
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Ta’Niya Latson, who also entered the transfer portal and would be moving from Florida to South Carolina, also expressed her support by commenting on three fire emojis.
The NCAA transfer portal is an online database that allows college athletes to explore opportunities to transfer to other schools while maintaining transparency in the process. It provides a platform for athletes to declare their intent to transfer, enabling coaches from other programs to view their profiles and reach out.
This system has streamlined the transfer process, giving athletes more control over their collegiate careers and fostering competitive balance across teams.
Why Did Kendal Dudley Transfer to Michigan?
The UCLA Bruins women’s basketball team has faced a significant challenge this offseason, losing their entire freshman class to the transfer portal. Among the departing players is Kendall Dudley, a five-star recruit who was known for her versatility and ability to make winning plays.
Dudley’s decision to transfer was influenced by limited playing time and the presence of veteran forwards on the roster, which hindered her ability to make a larger impact. She sought a program that could offer more opportunities for growth and playing time while still competing at a high level.
Her departure, along with those of other freshmen like Avary Cain and Elina Aarnisalo, has left UCLA without any returning sophomores for the upcoming season.
Despite these losses, the Bruins remain optimistic about their future, as they retain a strong core of veteran players who contributed to their first-ever Final Four appearance. The team is expected to also look to the transfer portal to rebuild depth and maintain their competitive edge.
UCLA had an impressive run in the 2025 NCAA Women’s March Madness tournament, advancing all the way to the Final Four. However, their campaign ended in a historic loss to UConn, with a final score of 85-51, as UConn’s Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong dominated the game.
Dudley appeared in all 37 games during her freshman season, averaging 1.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 12.4 minutes per game.
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Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
