UNT lands second key transfer from UTSA this spring in shortstop Kat Ibarra

North Texas was on the positive end of one of those unusual cases for the second time in the last few months late last week.

UTSA infielder Kat Ibarra jumped into the transfer portal in May after a coaching change at the school and landed at UNT this week.

Ibarra announced her decision on social media and became the second UTSA player to change sides in the Mean Green-Roadrunners rivalry this spring.

John Buggs III left the UTSA basketball team after last season and joined the Mean Green a short time later. Both are expected to play key roles for UNT in the 2023-24 school year.

Ibarra was named to the All-Conference USA second team last season when she hit .368 and led the Roadrunners in 12 offensive categories. UTSA’s shortstop earned postseason honors from C-USA in all three of her seasons with the Roadrunners.

UNT shortstop Cierra Simon and second baseman Mikayla Smith both have eligibility remaining. Adding Ibarra will give the Mean Green another standout middle infielder.

Buggs started for UTSA last season when he averaged 10.9 points per game. The 6-foot-2 shooting guard hit 80 shots from 3-point range, where he shot 39.6%.

UNT announced the addition of Buggs in early May. The school is expected to follow with an announcement that Ibarra will continue her career with the Mean Green in the coming days as both teams prepare for a time of transition in their histories.

UNT and UTSA are both leaving C-USA for the American Athletic Conference this summer.