Louisville women's basketball guard Payton Verhulst enters transfer portal: What it means

U of L's Payton Verhulst (12) hit a three-point shot against Ohio State during their game at the Yum Center in Louisville, Ky. on Nov. 30, 2022.

Louisville's start to the women's basketball season has been uncharacteristic, and it's now trickled into its personnel.

Guard Payton Verhulst has entered the transfer portal, according to a report from WUNC's Mitchell Northam Saturday. Cardinals head coach Jeff Walz confirmed the news after the team's 67-49 loss to Middle Tennessee State on Sunday.

"She was just looking for some more opportunities to play and then just decided to transfer," Walz said. "I've never been one to force some kid or try and force them to stay. I wasn't going to do it. We wished her absolutely the best and hope she has great success."

Searching for answers:Louisville women's basketball goes 'back to the drawing board'

Verhulst came off the bench in Louisville's first eight games and was averaging 6.4 points in 15.1 minutes to start her second season with the program. In her final game with the Cardinals she went 2 for 5 for five points and two rebounds in seven minutes played in the 96-77 loss to No. 4 Ohio State.

As a freshman, the Kansas native shot 40% from 3-point range and averaged 3.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 11.1 minutes over 32 games.

Verhulst came to Louisville as a five-star prospect and the fourth-best guard and No. 12 overall player in the Class of 2021, according to espnW Hoop Gurlz. As a senior at Bishop Miege Catholic High School, she was named USA TODAY's National Female Athlete of the Year and Kansas' Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

With Verhulst gone, Louisville is down to 14 rostered plays, which includes seven guards. True freshman Zyanna Walker made her collegiate debut against Middle Tennessee State on Sunday, the team's first game without Verhulst, and totaled four points and three rebounds. The Cardinals lost the contest 67-49, its lowest point total of the season and first consecutive losses since the 2019-20 campaign.

If she transfers to a new school before the season is over, Verhulst will have to sit out for the rest of the year but can play at the start of the 2023-24 season.

Reach Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at acubit@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter at @Alexis_Cubit.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville women's guard Payton Verhulst enters transfer portal