Utah’s Gianna Kneepkens To Enter The Transfer Portal
Mar 28, 2025, 2:13 PM | Updated: Mar 31, 2025, 3:10 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah women’s basketball guard Gianna Kneepkens has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal.
The star guard averaged a team-high 19.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game this season.
She was also remarkably efficient, shooting 50.4% from the field, 44.8% from 3-point range and 89% from the free-throw line.
Gianna Kneepkens To Enter The Transfer Portal
“This decision causes me tremendous angst because I have loved my time at Utah, and at the same time, I am excited to find out what God has in store for me,” Kneepkens wrote in her announcement. “With tremendous gratitude and appreciation, I move on to life’s next adventure.”
Kneepkens has been at the University of Utah for four seasons and will graduate in May. Due to the medical redshirt in 2023-24, she still has one year of eligibility remaining.
“I am a better person and student-athlete because of my time at the University of Utah. I will always be proud of my decision to be a Ute.”
Despite optimism that she would return, her fellow classmates are all graduating and moving on from the program, and Kneepkens will do the same.
Gavin Peterson Thankful For Kneepkens, Excited For Utah’s Future
“I have loved working with Gianna every day over the last four years. I can remember recruiting her at her high school basketball game in Duluth, Minn., and have thoroughly enjoyed watching her grow up and blossom here in Salt Lake City,” Petersen said in a statement shared on social media. “My family and I have been blessed to have her in our lives, and we will miss her dearly.”
https://t.co/V7rLlsar0U pic.twitter.com/E4r90IFZ8X
— Gavin A. Petersen (@coachgp7) March 28, 2025
Head coach Gavin Peterson played a big role in Kneepkens’ recruitment to Utah. Though there is an understandable disappointment, Peterson is still excited about Kneepkens’ future.
“While it is unfortunate that Gianna is leaving our program for her final collegiate season, I wish her the absolute best as she continues her journey,” Petersen said. “She will always be a Utah Ute, and we will take great pride in seeing her become the next name called to represent our program in the 2026 WNBA draft.”
Utah still has a few good pieces to rebuild with next season in Maty Wilke, Reese Ross, and Brooke Walker. The Utes will also welcome three highly-touted freshmen to the program this summer in LA Sneed (No. 30 overall), Avery Hjelmstad (No. 36 overall), and Ella Tood.
And with an open transfer portal, Utah will also be active in adding pieces to rebuild the roster.
