NEWARK, Del.–Delaware women's basketball head coach Sarah Jenkins has announced the addition of four transfers: Sydney Boone, Arantxa Portalez, Jada Thorpe and Chloe Wilson ahead for the 2023-24 season. The quartet will join the freshman trio of Ande'a Cherisier, Darrionna Howard and Grace Sundback to round out the incoming class.
Sydney Boone, 5-8 Guard, Richmond, Va., Highland Springs HS/Richmond
I am thrilled to have Syd join our Blue Hen family," said coach Jenkins. "She is a relentless worker and her experience and basketball IQ will be a tremendous asset to our program. I am excited about the leadership she will bring both on and off the floor.
Boone arrives in Newark heading into her junior year looking to major in Psychology. The Richmond, Va. native spent two seasons at Richmond playing in 58 games (one start) to finish totaling 195 points, 73 rebounds, 56 assists, 12 steals and four blocks. In 24 minutes of play against VCU (Jan. 11, 2023), Boone poured in a career-best 13 points on 6-12 shooting from the field.
Boone put together a stellar four-year career at Highland Springs High School where she was a McDonald's All-American nominee and earned All-Metro Player of the Year honors. She averaged 18.4 points per game during her junior season and led her team to a 24-2 record reaching the state title game before being canceled due to COVID-19. Boone is a two-time first-team 5B All-Region and All-Region Player of the Year selection and has scored over 1,000 points for her career in three seasons. Boone's high school squad is a three-time 5B Region Champion winning 20-plus games in three-straight seasons.
Boone added:
I choose Delaware because it felt like home. The coaching staff and team made me feel a part of a family and the resources provided displayed a winning culture.
Arantxa Portalez, 6-2 Forward, Zaragoza, Spain, Romareda Agustinos Recoletos
I would like to welcome Arantxa to our program all the way from Spain," said coach Jenkins. "She has competed at very high levels internationally and I believe that her experience at that level will translate to the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).I am excited about Artanxa's future as a Blue Hen.
Coming from Zaragoza, Spain to the 302 is Portalez looking to continue her studies majoring in International Relations and make an impact in the Blue Hens' frontcourt. Portalez's team won the Aragon junior championship for three consecutive seasons (2021-23) and captured the 2021 Aragon cadet championship. Her accolades also include being crowned champion of the Queen's Cup from the Endesa Women's League (2023), the Aragon "infantil" championship (2018) and a third-place finish in the Spanish championship.
Portalez added:
I have chosen to be part of the University of Delaware Women's Basketball team because I believe that I can grow a lot both as a player and as a student. I am looking forward to contributing to the team's growth and achieve great things together.
Jada Thorpe, 5-9 Guard, Chicago, Ill., Simeon Career Academy/Western Illinois University (Kansas State)
Excited to have Jada join our family," said coach Jenkins. "Her aggressive style of play on both ends of the floor will play an important role for our team. She is a hard worker and a go getter with a will to win and compete.
Thorpe transfers to Delaware from Western Illinois University looking to major in Educational Technology. The guard started in 42 of her 58 appearances across two seasons for the Leathernecks. Thorpe poured in a career-best 28 points against Oral Roberts on Jan. 12, 2023 and finish her time in Macomb, Ill. averaging 11.0 points (638 total), 2.6 rebounds (151 total), 1.9 assists (108 total) and 1.7 steals (103 steals). Thorpe concluded the 2022-23 season by scoring in double figures in 14 games while having four games of at least 10 made free throws and two games with 20+ points. The Chicago, Ill. native is a two-time Academic All-Summit Team selection, Summa Cum Laude and was part of the Honors College Exercise Science. Thorpe also spent two seasons at Kansas State where she earned 2020-21 Academic All-Big 12 first team, 2019-20 Big 12 Academic All-Rookie Team, two-time Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll honors. She appeared in five games for the Wildcats during 2020-21 after missing her freshman year (2019-20) due to injury.
Thorpe put together a strong career at Simeon Career Academy where she was 2016-17 Chicago Tribune Players to Watch. She was a two-time member of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) Class 3A/4A Special Mention All-State Team. Thorpe also suited up for Montverde Academy in Florida as a junior, helping the program to an 18-3 record and a state tournament title. She averaged 16.6 points, five assists, and two rebounds for the Eagles. Thorpe played her first two high school seasons with North Lawndale High School in Chicago and led the school to a 43-11 overall record and a state runner-up finish in 2015-16. Born on July 27, 2000, Thorpe is the daughter of Patricia Thorpe and the late Lewis Thorpe and has four siblings - Brandon, Stephen, Jalen and Ke'one.
Thorpe added:
I chose the University of Delaware because of the welcoming atmosphere. The team really made me feel at home and the coaches felt like family while still pushing me to be the best I can be!
Chloe Wilson, 5-11 Guard/Forward, Freeport, N.Y., South Shore/FDU
I am beyond excited to have Chloe join our program," said coach Jenkins. "She has had proven success at the Division I level and will make an immediate impact for our program and in our league. I can't wait to witness the success she has in our program. She has a championship mindset and wants to win!
Wilson makes her way down to Newark after spending three seasons at FDU and looking to continue her studies in Criminal Justice. The Freeport, N.Y. native started in 57 of her 79 appearances and finished her time in Madison, N.J. averaging 12.7 points (1,007 total), 6.2 rebounds (492 total), 1.6 assists (126 total) and 1.1 steals (89 total). Wilson joined the 1,000-point club on Mar. 17, 2023 against Columbia in the First Rounds of the WNIT. Wilson scored a career-best 32 points against Central Connecticut State (Feb. 11, 2023). Wilson's strong performance on the court over her three-year career earned her the right to call herself a two-time NEC Regular-Season Champion, First-Team All-NEC, Preseason All-NEC Team, Third-Team All-NEC and All-Rookie Team honoree.
Prior to FDU, Wilson transferred to South Shore High School where she played an instrumental role in the team winning the PSAL AA Championship in back-to-back seasons (2018-19). She also led the team to the 2020 championship, which was canceled due to COVID-19. Wilson was named the 2019 MVP of PSAL AA Championship Game recording a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds and was nominated for the 2020 McDonald's All-American Game. Wilson's high school accolades include:
- 2020 New York State Sportswriter Association (NYSSWA) Class AA All-State Selection
- Earned the prestigious PSAL Wingate Award in 2020.
- MVP titles in the Conrad McRae Tournament (2018 & 2019), Loyal to the Game (2017) and Art Turner Tournament (2017)
- Garnered the sportsmanship award in the Rose Classic in both 2018 and 2019, Gauchos High School Round Tournament in 2018 and the Gauchos "All-Tournament Award" in 2017
- Played AAU basketball for New Heights and Riverside
Wilson was a three-sport athlete at South Shore High School competing in basketball, soccer and track & field and was a member of the National High School Honor Society. Wilson spent her freshman year attending Holy Trinity High School, where she led in points scored and rebounds in just her second year ever of playing basketball.
Wilson added:
I wanted a family environment with people who win!
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