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Stailee Heard has responded to her father’s public trashing of the Oklahoma State women’s basketball program. She does not agree with her dad’s comments. She spoke of a severed relationship on Instagram.
The clarification comes after her sister, Tyla, left the team to enter the transfer portal.
That departure is one of many as the Cowgirls gear up for a major rehaul. Heard could be the lone returning rotational player in 2026-27.
Those exits come despite a 24-win season and NCAA Tournament appearance last year.
Stailee Heard’s dad has been critical.
The transfer portal opened on April 6th. Soon after, nine players from the 2025-26 roster announced intentions to leave.
Head coach Jacie Hoyt cryptically hinted at that mass exodus after the Cowgirls’ season ended this past March. While a great deal of production was set to return, she suggested that outside forces could tear the team apart.
“If you look at what we’re returning, we’re in really, really good shape in our league, nationally. With that, though, a lot of people are going to come and try and tear what we have apart, and I just hope that our kids and the bond that they have, the sisterhood that we have built, and their vision for what we can continue to do will be strong enough to overcome all of that.”
-Jacie Hoyt
Tyla Heard was one of those transfers. In an exit message, she thanked the coaching staff for recruiting her and giving her an opportunity to play in the Big 12.
Her father was not as kind to Hoyt and Co.
Tony Heard reposted Tyla’s transfer announcement on social media with a scathing review of the coaching staff.
— ArcticApe85 (@ArcticApe85) April 28, 2026
In his criticism, he said the family was “lied to” with promises of playing time. Tyla Heard did not start a game for the Cowgirls after transferring from Oral Roberts.
She did appear in 18 games, totaling eight points on 20% shooting. It was a clear step back from her freshman year.
At Oral Roberts, Heard scored 75 points while averaging 14 minutes per contest. She appeared in all but one game.
As a result, she left. Her dad doesn’t believe she was given a fair shake. It put Stailee Heard in an awkward position.
The Oklahoma State basketball star responded.
Heard saw her father’s comments. She may or may not have received backlash after the fact. To remain in the good graces of the Oklahoma State fanbase, she provided clarity.
In her online response, she praised the coaching staff’s efforts while speaking on the dynamic with her dad.
“We do not share the same opinion due to the fact that we haven’t had a relationship for the past 10 months.”
-Stailee Heard / Instagram
That is not a personal detail anyone should be forced to share. She felt it necessary given the fact that she will be returning to Stillwater without her sister next year.
With that said, she reposted Tyla’s transfer announcement with a message reading, “Go be great, sis.” Tyla still has Stailee’s support.
Heard has been a consistent contributor during her three seasons at the university. Each year, she’s scored in double figures, headlined by a 16.8-point output as a sophomore.
She will be a key piece to next year’s roster, even with her father turning his back on Oklahoma State.
The Cowgirls have done well in replacing the transfers, bringing in eight new players including All-American Audi Crooks. They’ll look to return to the NCAA Tournament in 2027.