Apr. 12—GRAND FORKS — The NCAA Transfer Portal flows in two directions and the UND women's basketball program was on the receiving end this time.
After eight UND players entered the transfer portal following the past season, the Fighting Hawks and new coach Dennis Hutter have added perhaps a key piece of next year's revamped roster.
Finley Ohnstad, a Kansas State transfer, has committed to UND with four seasons of eligibility remaining.
Ohnstad, a 6-foot-1 guard from Lakeville South High School (Minn.), redshirted for the Wildcats last season.
"I've been talking with the coaches and had good conversations," Ohnstad said. "Through those conversations, it felt right and felt like family. It felt like I was appreciated. It was really good having conversations about what I could do there. On and off the court, there were a lot of opportunities for me. I couldn't pass up the opportunity."
Ohnstad averaged 17 points per game and 6.0 rebounds in her senior season, setting Lakeville South's all-time scoring record with 1,587. She also broke the school's single-game scoring record with a 45-point performance.
The 2024 Minnesota Girls Basketball Coaches Association selected Ohnstad as all-state.
"I was looking for a program that felt like a good fit for my game," Ohnstad said. "I was looking for a coaching staff that was transparent with me but also felt like the cared. I do feel like I'm getting that with North Dakota."
Both of Ohnstad's parents — Angie and Mitch Ohnstad — played basketball for the Minnesota Gophers.
"When coach just talked about the locker room culture, that really drew me in," Ohnstad said. "I feel like this team could feel like a family, and I like everything he's offered in those regards."
Ohnstad said she plays a lot of wing, but she can also play in the post.
"My one thing I do is shoot the three," Ohnstad said. "In high school, I shot a lot off the dribble but I'm working on my catch-and-shoot game, too."
Ohnstad plans to head to Grand Forks on Monday for a campus visit.
Ohnstad committed to Kansas State as a high school junior, right as Kansas State was becoming a power in women's basketball.
The Wildcats have won at least 19 games each of the past four seasons including 26 games last season and 28 this year.
In 2024-25, Kansas State was 28-8 and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16.
