Sports

Kiyomi McMiller Joins Lady Gators Basketball via Transfer Portal

The Florida Gators women's basketball program has announced a significant roster addition with the recruitment of two-time All-Big Ten guard Kiyomi McMiller. Coach Tammi Reiss confirmed the transfer, expressing her enthusiasm for McMiller's arrival. McMiller, a standout player from the Penn State Nittany Lions, brings an impressive collegiate record to Gainesville, promising to bolster the Gators' performance in upcoming seasons. Her consistent high-level play has made her a highly sought-after talent in college basketball.

Elite Guard Kiyomi McMiller Joins Florida Gators Women's Basketball

In a major development for collegiate women's basketball, the Florida Gators have officially secured the commitment of star guard Kiyomi McMiller. Coach Tammi Reiss made the announcement on a recent Monday, highlighting the program's successful acquisition of the talented athlete through the transfer portal. McMiller, who previously played for the Penn State Nittany Lions, is renowned for her exceptional offensive skills and playmaking abilities, having earned All-Big Ten honors twice during her career.

During the 2025-26 season, McMiller demonstrated her scoring prowess by averaging 21.6 points per game over 29 appearances, making her the third-highest scorer in the Big Ten conference. Her shooting percentages were equally impressive, with a 45.0% success rate from the field and 35.4% from beyond the arc. Beyond scoring, McMiller also showcased her all-around game with an average of 4.5 assists per game, ranking eighth in the league, and 1.8 steals per contest, placing her 16th. These remarkable statistics collectively earned her a well-deserved spot on the All-Big Ten Second Team.

Coach Reiss shared her long-standing admiration for McMiller, recalling that she had offered McMiller a scholarship at Syracuse, where Reiss previously coached, when McMiller was just a fifth-grader attending an Elite camp. Reiss emphasized her belief in McMiller's inherent talent, stating, "I knew then that she would be a special talent." Reiss expressed her eagerness to coach McMiller and help her develop the skills necessary to advance to the next level of her career. Reiss lauded McMiller's work ethic, passion for the game, and strong desire to win, noting her relentless dedication to practice and her natural leadership qualities.

Before her tenure at Penn State, McMiller, a native of Silver Spring, Maryland, played her freshman year with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. There, she was recognized with an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention Team selection, averaging 18.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. Over her two-year collegiate career, McMiller has maintained impressive averages of 20.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 steals across 50 games. Her shooting efficiency includes 43.6% from the field, 34.3% from three-point range, and 75.0% from the free-throw line.

Coach Reiss concluded her announcement with a warm welcome, stating, "Gainesville, we got a good one. Welcome to The Swamp and our Gators family, Kiyomi!" This addition is expected to bring renewed energy and offensive firepower to the Florida women's basketball program.

The integration of Kiyomi McMiller into the Florida Gators women's basketball team marks a promising new chapter for the program. Her proven track record as a prolific scorer and a versatile playmaker suggests that she will be a transformative force on the court. Coach Reiss's long-standing belief in McMiller's potential, dating back to her elementary school days, underscores the depth of talent and dedication McMiller brings. This move not only enhances the Gators' competitive edge but also offers McMiller a platform to further refine her skills under a coach who has meticulously followed her development. The synergy between McMiller's ambition and Reiss's guidance could pave the way for significant achievements, both for the individual athlete and the team, as they strive for excellence in collegiate basketball.