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IOWA CITY, IA - NOVEMBER 13: Iowa guard Emely Rodriguez (21) drives to the basket as Drake guard Lexi Carlsen (20) defends during a college basketball game between the Drake Bulldogs and the Iowa Hawkeyes on Nov. 13, 2025, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, in Iowa City, IA. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Syracuse Orange women’s basketball team has secured another addition through the transfer portal.
Former Iowa Hawkeyes guard Emely Rodriguez is committing to the Orange, the program announced Wednesday. Rodriguez, who played in just six games in 2025-26, is looking to bounce back and contribute right away after an injury-riddled season.
Rodriguez performed well in her first collegiate season in 2024-25. with UCF, the six-foot guard averaged 11.9 points (second on team in scoring), 5.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.4 steals in 26.4 minutes per contest. She would also play 25 games as a freshman, starting in 19 of them, for the Knights. That first-year campaign earned her a spot on the All-Big 12 Freshman Team.
After one season with the Knights, Rodriguez transferred to Iowa. However, she had quite an interesting tenure with the Hawkeyes. A back injury and a reported suspension led Rodriguez to play just six games. She averaged 7.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in just 14.2 minutes per game.
Rodriguez, who will be entering her junior year, is looking to return to form similar to her time with UCF and provide some scoring punch for the Orange in 2026-27.
“Emely (Rodriguez) will bring us instant offense,” Syracuse head coach Felisha Legette-Jack wrote in a team news release. “She is a ferocious competitor that is willing to lay it on the line every day.”
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Rodriguez will look to provide immediate depth and production on the perimeter, especially since Syracuse lost scorer Laila Phelia to graduation, plus Sophie Burrows, Madeline Potts, and Camdyn Nelson to the portal.
Rodriguez, who is originally from the Dominican Republic, is the fourth transfer to join the Orange this offseason, joining SMU guard Tyi Skinner, Temple forward Jaleesa Molina, and Oregon forward Sarah Rambus.
She’s also the sixth new overall player to join the team. Besides Rodriguez and the rest of the portal additions, Syracuse also has recruits Madison Howard and Destiny Robinson coming to the Orange.
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