The transfer portal has reshaped women's college basketball, and the Big Ten,(now a sprawling 18-team behemoth with the addition of West Coast powerhouses like USC and UCLA) stands as one of the most active conferences in mining talent. While headliners like Yarden Garzon's move to Maryland or Kiyomi McMiller's shift to Penn State grab the headlines, the real intrigue lies in the under-the-radar additions.

These players, often flying below the national scouting radar due to mid-major pedigrees or limited high-major minutes, could quietly elevate their new squads in the 2025-26 season. Drawing from recent portal activity, here are five overlooked pieces poised to make an outsized impact in the Big Ten.

1. Claire Johnson, G, Nebraska (From Samford)

Nebraska's backcourt got a subtle but savvy boost with the arrival of Claire Johnson, a 5-foot-9 sophomore guard who earned second-team All-SoCon honors as a freshman at mid-major Samford. Averaging 12.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 38% from three, Johnson was a sparkplug for the Bulldogs, helping them punch above their weight in the Southern Conference.

What makes her overlooked? She's a high-motor defender and efficient scorer from a smaller program, slipping into a Cornhuskers rotation that returns starters like Brice Calip but craves bench scoring punch. In Fredricka Howard's up-tempo system, Johnson's quickness could translate to 8-10 points off the pine, providing the separation Nebraska needs in a loaded conference.

2. Jerni Kiaku, G, Indiana (From Duquesne)

Indiana, reeling from Garzon's departure, snagged Jerni Kiaku, a 5-foot-7 senior point guard who lit up the A-10 at Duquesne with 13.2 points, 4.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game last season. A former MEAC Rookie of the Year at Howard, Kiaku brings battle-tested poise and a knack for orchestrating fast breaks—skills that could mesh seamlessly with Sydney Parrish's interior presence. Her oversight stems from the portal's bias toward splashy high-major names; at Duquesne, she was a steady starter, not a stat-stuffer. But in Teri Moren's high-IQ offense, Kiaku's vision and 82% free-throw clip could stabilize the Hoosiers' guard play, potentially earning her 25+ minutes as a table-setter who doesn't force the issue.

3. Tracey Bershers, F, Minnesota (From UAB)

At 6-foot-2, Tracey Bershers arrives in Minneapolis as a graduate senior forward with a unicorn skill set: elite three-point shooting from the forward spot. She drained 43% of her 129 attempts from deep at UAB last year, pairing it with 11.4 points and 6.2 rebounds in Conference USA play. Minnesota, looking to rebound from a middling 2024-25, tabbed Bershers for her stretch-the-floor ability, which addresses a glaring need in Dawn Plitzuwei's pack-line defense. Why overlooked? UAB's mid-major status often buries such efficiencies in the noise, but Bershers' size and shot creation scream Big Ten viability—think a budget version of Ohio State's Rebeka Mikulášiková. She could space the floor for Alanna Micheaux, opening driving lanes and boosting the Gophers' offensive rating by 5-7 points per 100 possessions.

4. Gift Uchenna Okeke, F, Wisconsin (From Southern Illinois)

Wisconsin's frontcourt overhaul includes Gift Uchenna Okeke, a 6-foot-3 senior forward who posted monster lines of 14.5 points and 12.8 rebounds (with 2.1 blocks) at Southern Illinois, earning MVC All-Defensive honors. A two-way force who led the Salukis in double-doubles, Okeke's motor and rim protection could anchor a Badgers unit that lost key interior pieces.

Her under-the-radar status? MVC dominance doesn't always dazzle portal evaluators, but Okeke's 55% field-goal efficiency and rebounding prowess position her as a steal for Marisa Moseley's rebuilding squad. Paired with returnees like Serah Williams (before her portal exit), she might average a double-double in Big Ten play, turning Wisconsin into a glass-cleaning menace and elevating their NCAA tournament ceiling.

5. Ashley Sofilkanich, F, Michigan (From Bucknell)

Ashley Sofilkanich, Patriot League Player of the Year with 19.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game, is Big Blue's biggest wildcard. A dead-eye mid-range shooter (48% from the field) with soft hands around the rim, Sofilkanich was a one-woman wrecking crew for the Bison, leading them to a league title. The portal undervalued her due to the conference jump, but in Kim Barnes Arico's versatile system, she's primed for stardom alongside returner Grace Spears. Expect 15+ points and 7 rebounds as a starter; her blend of scoring touch and shot-blocking could make Michigan's half-court offense unguardable, marking her as the ultimate overlooked gem.

These transfers highlight the Big Ten's portal savvy: teams like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota are loading up with high-upside talent that won't drain NIL budgets but could deliver March magic. As the season tips off, keep an eye on these pieces…they might just redefine "sleeper" in a conference stacked with contenders.