There was no question about it – the West Virginia Mountaineers were better in the post last season than they were the year prior, but after struggles against Kentucky's length were crucial in their NCAA Tournament loss, it was clear they weren't quite tall enough.
Mark Kellogg has already made multiple transfer portal moves this offseason to address those issues, as it could be the difference in the future between either yet another loss in the Round of 32, or advancing to the program's first Sweet 16 in over three decades. But on Sunday night, the Mountaineers took the biggest step toward correcting that weakness yet – at least in the literal sense.
WVU women's basketball adds 6-foot-7 center Hawa Doumbouya
West Virginia secured a commitment from VCU center Hawa Doumbouya on Sunday night. Doumbouya is a staggering 6-foot-7, a type of height which is rare in collegiate women's basketball – adding a literally huge post presence to the roster.
Doumbouya also brings Power 5 experience at the college level, as she began her career in the Big 10 with the Maryland Terrapins. A four-star prospect out of high school, Doumbouya signed with the Terrapins and made 13 appearances as a true freshman in a limited role – she averaged just 3.5 minutes per game, but still manged 2.1 points and 1.5 rebounds per contest.
NEWS: Hawa Doumbouya has committed to West Virginia ⛰️
— E J 🏀 (@EJayArrow) April 26, 2026
The 6’7” forward/center averaged 1.2 PPG & 1.5 RPG (4.3 MPG) this season at VCU. pic.twitter.com/BjJfBAj8WN
She then transferred to Virginia and redshirted for a season before ending up at VCU, where she took on a slightly expanded role for the Rams, making 24 appearances and one start while playing 4.3 minutes per games, but seeing her scoring average dip to 1.2 points per game.
While fans probably shouldn't expect Doumbouya to be a starter, she will likely fit perfectly into a Celia Riviere type role off the bench (except a full four inches taller than Riviere), and had high school recruiting ratings suggest the raw talent and potential for a bigger leap in her final two years of eligibility are present.
And stats aside, don't overestimate how much a 6-foot-7 woman can affect a game of basketball just by being in the post and occupying space. Expect Doumbouya to be a game-altering addition to the rotation, if if she isn't a go-to starting lineup type of player yet.
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