Former Kentucky women’s basketball guard transfers to home-state school
Saniah Tyler is a Missouri Tiger.
The three-year Kentucky Wildcat and Florissant, Missouri, native announced via Instagram on Tuesday that she would return to her home state and transfer to Missouri for her fourth and final season of eligibility.
“Hometown hero #committed” Tyler captioned the post.
Tyler, a former four-star point guard prospect, will join the Tigers in the team’s first season under new head coach Kellie Harper, who led Tennessee from 2019-24.
A member of former UK head coach Kyra Elzy’s 2022 recruiting class, Tyler’s responsibility and minutes fluctuated over the course of her three seasons in Lexington. She spent one season in Kenny Brooks’ system before declaring her intention to transfer upon the conclusion of this season.
During her freshman campaign, Tyler clocked a total of 25 minutes on the floor; but, while two fellow members of her freshman class opted to hit the portal, Tyler remained.
As a sophomore, Tyler became a double-figure scorer. She averaged 10.2 points, shot 34.5% from 3-point range and grabbed 1.8 rebounds in 26.8 minutes across 32 contests. Only veteran leading scorers Ajae Petty and Maddie Scherr spent more time on the floor during Elzy’s final season in Lexington.
One of two Wildcats choosing to stay for the start of the Kenny Brooks era, Tyler had a relatively slow start to her junior season. She was seldom used for much of the nonconference schedule, until a double-figure performance against Western Kentucky on Dec. 28. Against the Hilltoppers, Tyler recorded 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting, including three 3-pointers, in approximately 16 minutes.
Expectations were high for Tyler, whose double-figure scoring average the year before demonstrated to Brooks that the 5-foot-6 guard was more than capable of delivering against Southeastern Conference opponents.
This past season, Tyler averaged 2.3 points, 1.2 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 0.3 steals in 12.3 minutes in 26 contests. In the Wildcats’ two NCAA Tournament games, Tyler totaled about 24 minutes, and recorded a combined one point and three rebounds.
