Georgia Tech guard Sarah Bates entered the transfer portal Monday, reducing the team’s depth as it heads into the offseason. Bates led the team with 52 3-pointers this season, averaging 5.6 points per game.
Bates’ decision follows that of former Tech guard Kierra Fletcher, who went into the portal in February. Fletcher, who elected to use her extra COVID-19 season to return for the 2021-22 season, did not play this season after a preseason foot injury. Bates played three seasons for the Yellow Jackets.
Fletcher averaged 13.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in 2020-21 and would have provided a significant boost to the team, which also is losing ACC Defensive Player of the Year Lorela Cubaj (10.0 points, 11.1 rebounds per game), three-year starter Lotta-Maj Lahtinen (10.9 points per game, 4.2 assists per game) and versatile forward Digna Strautmane (8.6 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game). Lahtinen had the extra season of eligibility at her disposal but elected to turn professional.
Coach Nell Fortner has a four-player signing class coming in (including two ranked in ESPN’s top 65, guard Kara Dunn from Mount Paran Christian School and guard Tonie Morgan from Tallahassee, Fla.) and can use the transfer portal. With a record of success and ample playing time available, Fortner figures to have a strong hand to play in the transfer market.
Tech reached its second consecutive NCAA Tournament and finished with a 21-11 record. It was the first time the Yellow Jackets made consecutive NCAA trips since making six in a row from 2007-12.
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