Oklahoma loses unexpected cornerstone as Zya Vann enters portal

The Oklahoma women's basketball team's first Transfer Portal loss of the cycle was not only unexpected, but should be the worst the Sooners suffer.

Sophomore guard Zya Vann, an OU legacy from the Sooner State, announced via X on Saturday that she plans on transferring once the portal officially opens on Monday with two years of eligibility left.

Zya Vann becomes Sooners' 1st Transfer Portal blow with surprise decision

"On my first official visit, I put on a Sooners' jersey and immediately knew I was staying home," Vann wrote in her heartfelt announcement. "There are no words to express my gratitude for the University of Oklahoma and Coach Jennie for believing in me and affording me the opportunity to carry on my family's legacy and to grow on and off the court. ...

"After a lot of hard conversations, prayer, and consideration, I have decided to explore my options and enter the Transfer Portal. I am excited for the next chapter and honored for my journey as a Sooner."

Vann's dad, Bryatt, played for the Sooners under Billy Tubbs in the early '90s to start the family's OU DNA. Vann then followed her sister, Skylar, from Bethany High School to Norman as a consensus four-star prospect who ESPN ranked as the best player in the state.

Skylar was a three-year starter for the Sooners and the sisters were teammates for a season last year during Zya Vann's freshman campaign. Vann appeared in all 35 games last season, which was tied for the fifth most by a freshman in OU history.

Vann cracked the starting lineup this season as a sophomore and started every game. She averaged 10.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists while leading OU's starting lineup with a 33% three-point percentage. After that showing, Vann and freshman point guard Aaliyah Chavez were expected to be pillars for the future of Jennie Baranczyk's program.

Between deep roots in Oklahoma, especially with the Sooners, and poised to be a starter again for a team with national title aspirations, Vann seemed like the last player that would end up in the portal and now forces Baranczyk to replace three starters from this season's squad.