<p>SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse freshman center Kamilla Cardoso, defensive player of the year in the Atlantic Coast Conference and its top rookie, has joined 11 teammates and entered the NCAA transfer portal.</p>
<p>Cardoso confirmed her decision to <a href="https://www.syracuse.com/orangewomen/2021/04/syracuse-freshman-kamilla-cardoso-the-accs-defensive-player-of-the-year-enters-transfer-portal.html?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Good%20Morning%20CNY%2C%20April%2023%2C%202021&utm_term=Newsletter_good_morning_cny">Syracuse.com </a> on Thursday but did not give a reason. A text message from The Associated Press to Orange coach Quentin Hillsman seeking comment was not returned.</p>
<p>Cardoso, a 6-foot-7 center from Brazil, averaged 13.6 points, eight rebounds and 2.7 blocks in her first season at Syracuse. She was the highest-rated recruit in program history.</p>
<p>Among those departing are: Emily Engstler, a key player who excelled as the first player off the bench and led the team in rebounding; starting guard and leading scorer Kiara Lewis; forward Digna Strautmane, who started every game; and Amaya Finklea-Guity and Maeva Djaldi-Tabdi. All are staying in the Atlantic Coast Conference — at Louisville, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Duke and Miami, in that order.</p>
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<p>More AP women’s basketball: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball">https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball</a></p>
