By R.L. Bynum
Kennedy Todd-Williams said Friday that her decision to enter the transfer portal after two seasons at North Carolina wasn’t driven by NIL possibilities or money.
“Has nothing to do with money,” Todd-Williams said in a Twitter direct message. “It’s never been about that. It’s about doing what’s best for me regardless of the situation here.”
The 6–0 wing, who started every game for UNC the last two seasons, didn’t specify why she decided to leave the program.
“I know my truth; I know how loyal I’ve been to Chapel Hill since committing as a sophomore in high school, and this was just the best decision for me,” she said.
Todd-Williams was one of the big reasons that Carolina was ranked No. 6 in two AP Top 25 polls this season and finished 22–11. She was one of UNC’s best defensive players and expanded her offensive game, scoring a team-high 52 3-pointers and shooting 32.3% from outside the arc after making 25 during her sophomore season.
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When Deja Kelly went down with a knee issue for 4½ fourth-quarter minutes in Carolina’s season-ending 71–69 loss Monday at Ohio State, Todd-Williams scored nine of her 16 points and made all four shots. Her layup with 2:56 left cut the Tar Heels’ deficit that was 12 down to one. After Kelly returned, Todd-Williams got only one more shot, and threw in the inbounds pass in the final seconds with the Tar Heels trailing by two.
Todd-Williams, who is from Jacksonville, N.C., averaged 13.4 points and 5.4 rebounds last season in starting all 33 games after also starting all 32 games.
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 |
Photo courtesy of UNC Athletics Communications
