Solé Williams spent a week in the transfer portal in April. But the dynamic 5-foot-9 guard soon realized Florida State was the best program for her and she returns for a second season in 2026-27.
Williams averaged career bests in points (15.1), rebounds (3.8) and assists (3.0) in her first season at FSU following her transfer from Texas A&M.
“I feel like that was really a no-brainer for me,” Williams said. “I feel like just being able to sit back, I knew there was no place like Florida State. I feel like Brooke (Wyckoff) and the staff has done right by me and done everything that they could possibly do for me.
“And I owe that to them to be as loyal as they are to me. Being able to stay with this staff, it means a lot to me honestly. And just being able to play under Brooke, there is no place I’d rather be.”
Williams is the key returning player to FSU’s 2026-27 roster, one that features five returning players, six transfers (UConn transfer Ice Brady will miss the season due to injury) and five freshmen. Wyckoff is turning to Williams to be more of a leader this offseason as she goes into her senior year.
“Sole was our best player last year and just took on a very large role coming into a new team last year. And we just want her to build on that and to continue to play at a very high level, to continue to add to her game and her production,” Wyckoff said. “But also, yes, grow in that leadership role of being our leader out there, our floor general, being one of our main scorers, she also has to back that up with her voice. In her own way.”
Williams smiles when discussing her new role. It’s not natural but she’s working at it and embracing the opportunity.
“I haven’t processed it. Used to being the youngest,” Williams said. “... My role is way bigger. It’s always been kind of big. But knowing that I have to step up in my leadership role, that’s one of my main things that I’m working on.”
Williams will have help from some experienced transfers, although a few of them are taking a step up in competition. Marshall transfer Timaya Lewis-Eutsey, who is 5-8, averaged 20 points and shot 50 percent from the floor. She was also third in the nation with 3.8 steals per game.
After a 10-win, there’s optimism FSU will be able to bounce back with a deeper roster that features Williams, the transfers and a top-15 signing class.
“Really love our group so far,” Wyckoff said. “We’re just a couple weeks in and we’re getting to know each other but already we’ve seen who they are and just the different types of skill sets, personalities, experiences that we have coming together in this very large group this year. Getting on the court but also being able to get to know each other off the court has been a big focus as it always is. I like what I see. But we have to put the work in.”
Similar to the FSU men’s basketball team, the women will also have a window each week in July to spend with players on the court and in the weight room. With so much roster turnover now annually in college basketball as a result of the transfer portal, the summer practice window is vital to Wyckoff, player development and team cohesion.
“It’s more important than ever,” Wyckoff said. “We have so much turnover from year to year, you really need that opportunity to understand what you have a little bit earlier on. It’s fast and furious but you have to be really strategic about how you use your time to make sure that you are putting them in situations where you can learn who they are, through adversity, through learning.”
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