By R.L. Bynum
The Jersey girl is going home.
Destiny Adams, one of Carolina’s most aggressive and dogged defenders during her two seasons in Chapel Hill, will transfer to Rutgers University, where she’ll be a junior with three years of eligibility.
“Coming home,” Adams, from Manchester, N.J., posted on social media with a smile emoji in announcing her decision Saturday evening.
The 6–3 Adams scored 220 points in 61 career games for UNC, with 34 blocks and 73 steals. She was versatile last season for the Tar Heels, able to play on the wing and at the five spot.
After scoring all eight of her points in the fourth quarter of UNC’s 56-47 victory over N.C. State in Carmichael Arena on Jan. 15, she sprinted to the stands to hug her mom and sister. They had flown down to Chapel Hill that morning to see her play.
“I just wanted one more hug just to say goodbye, and I thought that was the perfect time to do it so I didn’t miss anything,” said Adams, in photo below cheering in front the bench, said that day.
Her career-high was 23 points last season against South Carolina State. She got a career-high six steals on Feb. 12 last season against Boston College and blocked three shots twice, the last time last season on Jan. 12 against Virginia.
Adams is one of two players from last season’s team to transfer, along with Kennedy Todd-Williams, who will play next season at Ole Miss.
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Rutgers went 12–20 overall and 5–13 in the Big Ten last season, the first under head coach Coquese Washington.
Adams is Manchester Township High School’s all-time leading scorer, made the 2021 McDonald’s All-American team and was the Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year.
Projected roster if all players with eligibility other than Elina Aarnisalo, Lanie Grant,, Taliyah Henderson and Liza Ashtakhova and Liza Ashtakhova return, with years listed for next season (UNC is one below the 15-player limit)
| Year | No./ Stars | Players | Pos. | Height | |
| Freshman | 5 star | Kate Harpring | PG | 5–10 | |
| Freshman | 52/4 star | Noelle Bofia | F | 6–4 | |
| Sophomore | 3 | Gabby White — W | G | 5–10 | |
| Sophomore | 7 | Nyla Brooks | W | 6–1 | |
| Sophomore | 26 | Taissa Queiroz | G | 6–1 | |
| Junior | 34 | Blanca Thomas | C | 6–5 | |
| Junior | 1 | Jordan Zubich | G | 5–11 | |
| RS junior | 21 | Ciera Toomey | F | 6–4 | |
| RS junior | 4 | Laila Hull | W | 6–1 | |
| Senior | Sophie Burrows — X | G | 6–2 | ||
| Senior | 11 | Achol Akot — Y | F | 6–1 | |
| Senior | 10 | Reniya Kelly | G | 5–7 | |
| Senior | 15 | Sydney Barker | G | 5–6 | |
| Graduate | 13 | Chloe Clardy — Z | G | 5–9 |
W — Virginia transfer; X — Syracuse transfer; Y — Oklahoma State transfer; Z — Stanford transfer
Former players who entered transfer portal
| Player | Class next season | Pos. | Hgt | Next school |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elina Aarnisalo | Junior | G | 5–10 | UCLA |
| Lanie Grant | Junior | G | 5–9 | TCU |
| Taliyah Henderson | Sophomore | W | 6–1 | Clemson |
| Liza Astakhova | Sophomore | G | 6–2 | BYU |
Photos courtesy of UNC Athletics Communications
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