The Utah women's basketball program continues to strategically rebuild its roster through the transfer portal, securing another key piece for its backcourt. This week, former Oklahoma State guard Lena Girardi announced her commitment to join head coach Gavin Petersen's Utes, marking the program's second significant addition from the Big 12 conference.

Girardi, a 5-foot-10 guard from New York, brings three years of remaining eligibility and valuable experience after a promising freshman campaign with the Cowgirls. She averaged 7.8 points and 2.1 rebounds per game, establishing herself as a reliable perimeter threat. Her shooting efficiency was a standout, connecting on 43.6% from the field and an impressive 39.8% from beyond the arc, where she averaged nearly two made three-pointers per game.

Her arrival addresses a pressing need for Utah, which has seen significant roster turnover. Four guards—L.A. Sneed (Oklahoma State), Avery Hjelmstad (TCU), Brooke Walker (Colorado), and Grace Foster—entered the transfer portal, creating a void of experience. Girardi joins former Kansas guard Laia Conesa as a crucial portal acquisition to stabilize the backcourt.

With only one guard, Ella Todd, expected to return from last season, Girardi's role will be immediate and significant. She will also help mentor incoming freshman guards Peyton Jones, a four-star recruit from Colorado, and Milika Satuala, Utah's Deseret News Ms. Basketball. As the daughter of former MLB player and manager Joe Girardi, she brings a high-level competitive pedigree to a Utah program navigating the challenges and opportunities of the modern transfer era.