The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay women’s basketball team has landed another standout from its in-state rival.
UWGB announced the signing of 6-foot forward Jorey Buwalda, who spent her first three seasons at UW-Milwaukee.
Buwalda was one of the best players in the 11-team Horizon League this season, averaging 12.1 points and 8.7 rebounds in 28.2 minutes per game.
She was named to the league’s all-conference third team.
The Phoenix hopes the move works out as well as the last time it signed a Panthers player from the NCAA transfer portal.
Point guard Kamy Peppler left UWM last April after spending her first three seasons at the school and helped the Phoenix reach the NCAA Tournament as a senior this season while leading the Horizon with 4.6 assists per game.
Buwalda should replace some of the paint production UWGB is losing with the graduation of forward-center Jenna Guyer, who was the team’s leading rebounder and the Horizon’s player of the year in 2025-26.
“We're thrilled to welcome Jorey to Green Bay,” UWGB coach Kayla Karius said in a statement. “She's a proven performer in this league, specifically in scoring and rebounding, and her strong inside presence will make an immediate impact. We're confident she'll fit seamlessly into our program and culture.”
Buwalda was one of the top rebounders in the league this season. Her 269 boards were second-most behind only the 305 from Youngstown State’s Sophia Gregory.
Buwalda had a notable high school career at Randolph, which went 92-15 during her four seasons on varsity while winning the WIAA Division 5 state championship and going 31-0 during her junior campaign.
She graduated with 1,926 career points and 1,048 rebounds and averaged at least 13.8 points in each of her four years.
It included a huge senior season in which she averaged 21.7 points, 10.3 rebounds and shot 54.3%.
Buwalda was a first-team all-state selection by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association three times and voted the Trailways West player of the year in 2022 and 2023.
“I chose to continue my academic and athletic career at Green Bay because they made me feel like more than just a basketball player," Buwalda said. “The coaching staff welcomed me with open arms, as well as the players. They were all super genuine, and those are the people that I want to surround myself with.
“I love Green Bay's style of play, how much the team and community are involved with each other, as well as the atmosphere. When I came to campus, I knew this was where I wanted to finish out my collegiate career. It is so much deeper than basketball, and I am glad that I get to be a part of that and experience that.”
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: UW-Milwaukee standout Jorey Buwalda joins UWGB women's basketball team