Full Breakdown
Lady Vols Basketball Faces Roster Overhaul as Pauldo Twins Enter Transfer Portal
4/1/2026, 10:53:59 PM
Departure of Key Freshmen
Mia and Mya Pauldo, twin freshmen point guards for the University of Tennessee's Lady Vols basketball team, have announced their decision to enter the transfer portal after one season under head coach Kim Caldwell. The announcement was made via Instagram on April 1, where the twins expressed gratitude towards the coaching staff, teammates, and fans, while also indicating their readiness to embrace new challenges. This decision marks a significant shift for the Lady Vols, as the Pauldo twins are the fifth and sixth players from the team to enter the transfer portal, joining Deniya Prawl, Alyssa Latham, Kaniya Boyd, and Lauren Hurst.
Performance and Challenges
Mia Pauldo had a notable freshman season, averaging 10.4 points, 2.5 assists, and earning a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team. She started 17 games and recorded a career-high of 26 points against Mississippi State. In contrast, Mya Pauldo averaged 1.8 points and made one start throughout the season. The twins, who were highly regarded recruits—Mia being a McDonald’s All-American and ranked as a top-10 player—faced difficulties adapting to Caldwell's system, particularly the rapid substitutions that characterized the team's play. Mia noted that the transition was more challenging than anticipated, stating, “We just thought it was, you know, easier seeing it than actually doing it.”
Context of the Departures
The Lady Vols concluded their season with a disappointing record of 16-14, the worst winning percentage in program history. They suffered an eight-game losing streak, culminating in a 76-61 defeat to N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Following the loss, Coach Caldwell acknowledged her shortcomings in maintaining the team's performance and emphasized the need for improvement in roster retention and recruitment for the upcoming season.
Broader Implications for the Program
The departure of the Pauldo twins and other freshmen poses a significant setback for Tennessee's efforts to rebuild its roster. The 2025 recruiting class, which was ranked second nationally, included the Pauldo twins and was expected to bolster the team's future. Caldwell's ability to attract and retain talent will be critical as she navigates this offseason of change.
Official Statements & Responses
In their joint statement, the Pauldo twins expressed their appreciation for the Lady Vols program, saying, “We’d like to thank the coaching staff for the opportunity to be part of the Lady Vol family.” Caldwell, reflecting on the season, stated, “I have always been able to recruit players and stack talent... and I wasn’t able to do that,” indicating her focus on improving team dynamics and performance moving forward.
Verbatim Quotes
- “After much thought, conversation & soul-searching we have decided to enter the transfer portal,” — Mia and Mya Pauldo
- “We knew coming here that, that was the system, and we just thought it was, you know, easier seeing it than actually doing it,” — Mia Pauldo
- “I have always been able to recruit players and stack talent and get them to run through a wall for me and get them to play hard and I wasn’t able to do that,” — Kim Caldwell
The upcoming transfer portal window, which lasts from April 6-20, will be crucial for the Lady Vols as they seek to reshape their roster in light of these departures.
