Wayne State University women's basketball head coach Carrie Lohr announced the addition of three transfers for the 2026-27 season: Kylee Fears, Halen McLaughlin, and Rayven McQueen. Fears, a 6'0" redshirt junior forward from Merrimack College, brings significant high school experience after averaging double-doubles in her last two years at Talawanda High School. McLaughlin, a 5'10" sophomore guard from Lake Superior State, recorded a season-high 16 points in 2025-26 while McQueen, a 6'1" sophomore guard/forward, scored her first collegiate points playing for Detroit Mercy. These recruits aim to bolster the Warriors, who have reached the NCAA Tournament's second round in the last two seasons.

By the Numbers
  • Kylee Fears scored a total of 4 points in 6 games at Merrimack, with 4 rebounds in a single game.
  • Halen McLaughlin averaged 2.4 points and 1.2 rebounds over 20 games at Lake Superior.
  • Rayven McQueen tallied 5 points across 3 games at Detroit Mercy, including her first career triple.
Yes, But

While the new transfers bring potential, their performance in previous seasons raises questions regarding their impact. Both McLaughlin and McQueen had limited playing time in their respective last seasons, which may affect their immediate contributions.

State of Play
  • Wayne State's women's basketball program is looking to build on consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
  • The addition of these transfers aims to enhance the team's competitiveness in the upcoming season.
What's Next

As the 2026-27 season approaches, the focus will be on integrating the new players into the team's strategies. Their performances in training and early season games will be critical for establishing the Warriors' postseason goals.

Bottom Line

The recruitment of Fears, McLaughlin, and McQueen adds depth and versatility to the Warriors' lineup, but their previous limited contributions highlight the importance of player development and integration moving forward.