Donovyn Hunter’s Rise Propels TCU to Flawless Start

‘I want to work so hard to where it’s hard to take me out of a game’

How do you rebuild after losing four starters from an Elite Eight team? In 2025, the answer is to turn to the transfer portal.
Perhaps no coach is as effective as Mark Campbell in this regard. After guiding TCU to its deepest NCAA Tournament run last season with a team primarily consisting of transfers, he has transformed the roster again, adding significant players such as Olivia Miles, Marta Suarez, Clara Silva, Kennedy Basham, Veronica Sheffey, and Taliyah Parker.
Despite having nine new players (including three freshmen), the team has displayed cohesion reminiscent of years of experience together. TCU stands undefeated at 12-0, triumphing in every contest by double digits and securing the No. 9 ranking nationally just as Big 12 play is set to commence. In an impressive display against Arkansas-Pine Bluff last Tuesday, Miles and Suarez made history as the first Division I teammates to each achieve a 20-point triple-double in a single game, showcasing Miles’ third consecutive triple-double this season.

While these transfers have significantly influenced the team’s dynamics, the standout performance of junior Donovyn Hunter, the sole returning starter from the previous season, has been pivotal to TCU’s aspirations.

‘You can definitely tell the unselfishness’

According to Hunter, the culture established within the program is the cornerstone of the team’s rapid cohesion. The coaching staff, led by Campbell, actively avoids recruiting players who exhibit selfish behaviors or egos that threaten team harmony. “We all come together and realize that for us to be great, we have to mesh with each other,” Hunter commented.
Hunter quality is of a ‘solid unit’, emphasizing that their relationships extend beyond basketball into a shared understanding. This unity manifests on the court, where a high-powered offense characterized by strategic spacing and fluid ball movement overwhelms opponents. TCU boasts an offensive rating of 123.7, ranking ninth nationally, with a staggering 65.1% of baskets this season being assisted, a rank of 29th according to CBB Analytics. The team ranks 17th nationally in three-point shooting attempts per game and 15th in shooting percentage.

While Miles serves as the engine for the offense, the Horned Frogs feature six players averaging at least seven points per game, with varying leading scorers in nearly every matchup. Every starter, aside from 6-foot-7 center Silva, averages a minimum of 2.5 assists and 3.8 three-point attempts per game.

“You can definitely tell the unselfishness,” Hunter remarked. “You hear it often from many teams, ‘Oh, this is a family’, and while it might sound cliche, our willingness to pass the ball around reflects our relationships off the court as well.”

‘A lot of internal work’

Hunter, who transferred from Oregon State to TCU when the Pac-12 disbanded, attributes her breakout season to a consistent environment. “This year is my moment; I’m not adapting to new systems or learning a multitude of plays in a short period.”

Averaging 14 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.8 steals per game with shooting splits of 52.4/41.4/77.8, Hunter excels in all major statistical categories except assists. She currently ranks third in scoring and has become Teammates benefiting from heightened familiarity, and Hunter has undertaken constructive conversations with the coaching staff to support her growth alongside her own dedicated self-reflection.

The journey began with two ACL tears in high school, and Hunter acknowledges that she struggled with confidence upon returning from injuries. “Much of it is mental,” Hunter mused, asserting her determination to impress Campbell. “I aim to work so hard that it’s tough to pull me from the game.”

These efforts have certainly yielded results, demonstrated by her playing time and offensive contributions this season. Now Hunter is not just a consistent shooter, particularly from the three-point corner, she releases shots with confidence often likening herself to a seasoned marksman. She also is learning to anticipate the plays of teammate Miles, a projected lottery pick for the 2026 WNBA Draft.

Hunter has earned praise for her essential role in TCU’s defensive strategies, enabling her team to rank first in collegiate defensive ratings—a remarkable accomplishment.
“If I’m slacking and an opponent slides past me, it poses challenges for the entire defense,” she stated, reflecting on her responsibility as a lead defender.

‘We know we have bigger goals’

Hunter enters each game aiming to relish the sport while maximizing potential. As TCU prepares for what could be another NCAA Tournament journey, aspirations are high.
“Starting strong feels great, but our team is committed to focusing on one game at a time while keeping in mind our larger ambitions,” Hunter concluded.