Taya Reimer planning to transfer from Notre Dame
SOUTH BEND — The mysterious saga of Taya Reimer may be over.
Over at least as far as the Notre Dame’s womens’ basketball team is concerned.
Reports Friday indicated that Reimer will transfer from Notre Dame. That word came from a tweet from Brandon Clay of PeachStateBasketball.com. His tweet said Reimer will transfer after graduating. Apparently she will complete her degree work this spring. That would give her two remaining seasons of eligibility if she does transfer. Reimer’s name appeared as “liking” the tweet.
Chris Masters, the associate athletics communications director, confirmed the tweet. “I do not know where she may transfer to, nor do I know what schools she is considering,” said Masters. Notre Dame women’s coach Muffet McGraw did not comment and could not be reached by the Tribune Friday night.
Reimer, for the second time in two years, left the Irish basketball team in December. In December, 2014, she left right before Notre Dame played – and lost to Miami. It still is the only loss the Irish have suffered in Atlantic Coast Conference play in their three seasons in the league.
Shortly after that, Reimer returned and was welcomed back by the coaches and team. She played well the second half of the season and during the Irish run in the NCAA tournament to the national championship game.
This past December, citing personal reasons, Reimer left again. In January, McGraw said, “Reimer asked about playing two more seasons if she could get a redshirt rule for this season.” McGraw added that the matter would be discussed at the end of the season. It seems Reimer did not wait. If Notre Dame declined her request for two more years, it could not be confirmed Friday.
Speculation was rampant about why Reimer left. But the junior had been hampered by a lingering Achilles heel injury and only played in five games this season, starting one game and averaging 5.8 points and 3.8 rebounds. She was limited to a maximum of four minutes per quarter.
She was selected as one of the three captains for the Irish team this season and was expected to contribute heavily to a strong Irish post game that also featured sophomores Brianna Turner and Kathryn Westbeld. Without Reimer, Notre Dame continued to roll, currently ranked No. 3 in the nation and carrying a 23-1 record (11-0 in the ACC).
She earned a silver medal for Team USA at the Pan Am games this summer, but reportedly re-injured her Achilles during that tournament. She participated very sparingly in preseason practices – the thought being to give her as much time as possible to heal.
