Taylor Feldman entered the transfer portal at the end of March after playing three years of college basketball at Northern Arizona. She committed to Purdue just a few days later.
However, the rising senior is still enrolled at her former university even though she is leaving, which presents an interesting reality for all of the athletes who are in a similar position. They are locked out!
Feldman, a native of California, appeared in 101 women’s college basketball games for the Lumberjacks with 43 starts. This past year was a major breakout season. The 5-foot-8 guard averaged 16.4 points on 40.8% shooting with 59 three-pointers, 3.9 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 31.9 minutes per game and earned First-Team All-Big Sky honors.
NEWS: Northern Arizona Taylor Feldman (@taylorfeldman05) enters the transfer portal, sources tell @BTNScouting .
— BTN Scouting (@BTNScouting) March 26, 2025
The 5-8 Guard is a Junior from Tustin,CA. She's ready to help a team with her shooting ability!
16.4 PTS | 3.0 RBS | 3.9 AST#TransferPortal | #BTNScouting |… pic.twitter.com/mQ0gnaD8Zw
As is often the case in the era of the portal, Feldman’s strong year at a mid-major program allowed her the opportunity to transfer up to a high-major program. She became the first player to sign with the Boilermakers in this current cycle.
We’re pumped to welcome Taylor to the Boilermaker family. She is a versatile guard who can impact the game with her scoring, passing and defensive skill sets. We knew from our first conversation with her that she should be a Boilermaker.
— Purdue head coach Katie Gearlds
Northern Arizona no longer lists Feldman on its roster for next year. Purdue has since added her to its roster for 2025-26. The move is almost complete!
However, the 2024-25 hoops season did not end until late March. Taylor Feldman was right in the middle of her sixth semester at NAU when she entered the transfer portal and committed to play elsewhere. She still has a few weeks left in Flagstaff before she moves to Indiana.
Here lies the predicament.
As soon as Feldman decided to leave, the Lumberjacks revoked her access to the team facility even though she is still on campus. That includes the practice gym, but the grind does not stop for a Division-I athlete. Feldman is forced to use the rec center to train alongside all of the NARPs!
This kind of thing is not uncommon. Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar is currently enrolled at a school twice removed. Winter athletes who hit the portal in the spring have to finish up where they are currently. It is part of the process, but a part of the process you might not consider or realize!