Kiara Leslie leaves Maryland women’s basketball for NC State as graduate transfer

Kiara Leslie sat out most of the 2016-17 Maryland women’s basketball season, and her return to the floor will be in another uniform.

The 6’0 guard will leave the program for NC State as a graduate transfer, the program announced Wednesday. She will graduate this semester and have two years of eligibility wherever she goes.

Leslie averaged four points and 2.8 rebounds in her Maryland career. She started the first seven games of her sophomore season before being supplanted by Kristen Confroy. Leslie broke her leg in the offseason and was one of two players, alongside forward Aja Ellison, to redshirt this year.

Even if Leslie wasn’t expected to start in 2017-18, she definitely would have had a role at Maryland. With her on board, the Terps were in line to have 11 players next season.

Instead, she becomes the second graduate transfer out of Maryland in as many years. A’Lexus Harrison made the same move last year, and she averaged 12.8 points and 8.8 rebounds at Saint Francis (Pa.) this season. NC State plays at a higher level, but Leslie should still see an increased role with the Wolfpack.

Maryland landed four-star Class of 2017 point guard Channise Lewis in April, which filled a glaring need at point guard. However, the Terps might still not be done filling out their roster, especially with Leslie’s transfer depleting the bench even further.