Lexi Donarski entering transfer portal

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tavrncy

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Mar 29, 2023
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$200k per year. Still more than I make.


The On3 numbers aren't actual reporting they're just estimates from On3's NIL algorithm which is complete junk. It's mostly based on social media followers iirc. Even before the recent national deals it was generally reported that she was in the 7 figure range, I would it assume it's higher with stuff like Nike and Bose now.
 

BoxsterCy

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Staff member
Sep 14, 2009
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1300 to 300 seems like people have learned the grass isn't always greener somewhere else. Take your free education and run with it if your just a run of the mill athlete.

Well, that and the free Covid year gave peeps a chance to transfer after a couple of years and still have three left, or in the case of 2020 freshman like Lexi still have two left. The class has almost passed through the system and won't factor in as much.
 

josha0510

New Member
Mar 26, 2023
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Have been lurking here since I am a big Lexi fan and wondered if I was the only one shocked. I will not claim to know a lot (I actually know nothing) and I have only watched ISU basketball since she arrived. I have been a longtime women's basketball watcher, though.

I think there is almost no chance she ends up in Iowa City. The first reason is, as everyone said, there are limited or no spots. Second, though, she doesn't even follow Caitlin or Kylie on Instagram. I checked after Kylie left (wondering if there was bad blood) and they unfollowed each other. She also used to follow Caitlin and after checking just now, they don't anymore. I would say it is out of the question.

I predict schools such as UConn and Tennessee will recruit her heavily. After consideration, though, she would have to fight for a spot at UConn. Azzi, Paige, and Nika are guaranteed to get a lot of playing time next year. I know she was friends with Azzi (based on Instagram), but again, playing time would be the question.

She would likely fit well into Tennessee's program and they could use a guard like her. Oklahoma is another possibility if she decides to follow Aubrey.

The question is, what's her end goal? WNBA development and chasing a national title? I imagine it is not being the star of the team because, well, she would have likely been that at Iowa State next year.

While I could never see her going to South Carolina, does anyone see that as a possibility? Dawn obviously loves good defenders and she is one of the best in the country. Carolina's one weakness is 3-point shooting and she is a reputable 3-point shooter (struggled this year, but has proven success). They lose Cooke and Fletcher, and I imagine she could play alongside Raven Johnson as the 2-guard. Additionally, they have great post players, so that would open up the 3-point line for her.

I also thought Texas was a legit option, but she would have to compete with Harmon and Gonzales for playing time. Same thing with competing with Miles, Citron, and Bransford at Notre Dame for playing time. I imagine after 3 years of starting, she wouldn't want to come off the bench, but who knows. I also would hypothesize Indiana, but she is behind Moore-McNeil, Scalia, and Parrish, even though I believe she is an all-around better player than Scalia and would fit nicely in Indiana.

Other possible wildcards I could see are Louisville or Maryland. Both systems rely on defense and have used the transfer portal very well in the past, so I imagine they will be pursuing her hard. She would face similar struggles at Maryland as she did at ISU, though, since their post-game is almost nonexistent.

Then there are teams like Wisconsin and Montana due to the home / sister factors as people said. Also saw Drake comment on Twitter that she should reunite with a former HS teammate, so angles like that could play a factor.

The possibilities are endless. Wherever she goes, I'll continue watching and wishing her the best.

I was going to say just because a player enters the portal doesn't mean they are definitely leaving (even though likely), but damn, that Twitter post made it clear she is out. My guesses are Indiana or Louisville.
Just to follow this up, Holmes from Indiana and Key from Tennessee recently followed Lexi and she followed them back. My gut is telling me Indiana, but Tennessee and Louisville are still potential choices in my mind.
 

Three4Cy

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Jan 19, 2010
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Just to follow this up, Holmes from Indiana and Key from Tennessee recently followed Lexi and she followed them back. My gut is telling me Indiana, but Tennessee and Louisville are still potential choices in my mind.
Indiana's point guard is done, an she was 6'0. If Lexi wants to run the team, she would fit the mold of a Teri Moen point guard.
 

josha0510

New Member
Mar 26, 2023
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Indiana's point guard is done, an she was 6'0. If Lexi wants to run the team, she would fit the mold of a Teri Moen point guard.
I could be wrong, but wasn't it Chloe Moore-McNeil, who will be back? Berger was more of an off-ball guard if that is who you're referring to.
 

undersized_post

Active Member
Apr 18, 2021
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I could be wrong, but wasn't it Chloe Moore-McNeil, who will be back? Berger was more of an off-ball guard if that is who you're referring to.
They both ran point at different times this season. The 1 and 2 were pretty interchangeable in terms of who brought the ball up the floor in their system. In the half court, however, Berger definitely initiated more of the offense in terms of working off ball screens and driving/dishing.

Moore-McNeil did start initiating more offense while Berger was injured mid-season, but no question that Berger was the more talented facilitator when she was playing. Moore-McNeil is more of a defensive specialist.
 

CourtCyd

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Mar 24, 2023
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I wonder how many players are transferring out of the Iowa WBB Program...Does anyone know?
Marshall and Martin already said coming back. Cinzano (med school) and Warnock (dental school) have both said this is it for playing, although both have a COVID year if they change their minds. Stuelke sounds all in, especially with Clark pumping her up and getting her touches. Unless Clark goes pro they should do well in the portal considering Clark leads the nation in assists. Will probaby be on TV for every game so lots of NIL chances for quality players.
 

ChiClone22

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Mar 19, 2022
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Caitlin Clark just turned 21 this year (in January) and being 22 (or four years removed from high school) is one of the requirements to be in the WNBA draft

WNBA draft eligibility requirements:
“American-born players have to either have graduated or be on track to graduate the year of the draft to be eligible. They also would be eligible if they turned 22 in the year of the draft or be four years removed from high school and have renounced any remaining NCAA eligibility.”
Why There Is No One And Done For Women’s Basketball
 
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isucy86

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Apr 13, 2006
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Marshall and Martin already said coming back. Cinzano (med school) and Warnock (dental school) have both said this is it for playing, although both have a COVID year if they change their minds. Stuelke sounds all in, especially with Clark pumping her up and getting her touches. Unless Clark goes pro they should do well in the portal considering Clark leads the nation in assists. Will probaby be on TV for every game so lots of NIL chances for quality players.
Didn't Cinzano already use her Covid season? I thought this was her 5th year.
 

CourtCyd

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Mar 24, 2023
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Didn't Cinzano already use her Covid season? I thought this was her 5th year.
I stand corrected. This is Czinano's 5th year and I still spell her name wrong a lot. Guess it proves I'm not an EIU fan trolling this site. Warnock could return if she delays dental school.
 

ICCYFAN

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Sep 6, 2006
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C’mon guys - I love most of what you guys post, but this is a Lexi Donarski transfer thread! I’m way more disappointed in her leaving than an older adult male should be, and I’m engaged in where she’ll end up. I love the inside scoop on who’s following Lexi on Insta - keep it coming!!!

I have a tiny thread of hope she might still return but am warming to the Indiana possibilities, where she could again match up with CC!
 
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tomar1

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Aug 16, 2008
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Whose going to stop Boston?

South Carolina's starting 5 goes like this:
5'9
6'1
6'2
6'5
6'7

Iowa doesn't play defense as it is and their tallest player (who plays) is Cziano whose 6'3. Iowa is 307th in scoring defense giving up 71 points a game. South Carolina is first in scoring defense.

Now Iowa is first in scoring offense but South Carolina is also 7th.

I don't see how this game is within 15 points. I could be 100% wrong.
6’7” came off bench but had better game than Boston
 

tomar1

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Aug 16, 2008
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Cardozo the 6’7” girl for South Carolina and 6’6” Soares are both from Brazil must be something in the water down there
 
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