Michigan State women's basketball starter Matilda Ekh enters transfer portal

Michigan State guard Matilda Ekh, of Sweden, center, is defended by Indiana guards Sara Scalia (14) and Chloe Moore-McNeil (22) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten women's tournament Friday, March 3, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Michigan State guard Matilda Ekh, of Sweden, center, is defended by Indiana guards Sara Scalia (14) and Chloe Moore-McNeil (22) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten women's tournament Friday, March 3, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

One of the key players for the Michigan State women's basketball team has entered the transfer portal.

Sophomore Matilda Ekh, who has been a fixture in the Spartans' starting lineup the past two seasons, has decided to explore her options and put her name in the portal. Ekh's entrance in the portal comes after coach Suzy Merchant stepped down last week as part of a mutual decision with the school.

Ekh, who is from Sweden, was a two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten selection and was part of the All-Freshman team following her strong debut season in 2021-22. She has been the Spartans' second-leading scorer the last two seasons, averaging 11.8 points as both a freshman and sophomore.

Ekh was one of the top 3-point shooters in the Big Ten during her time in East Lansing, shooting 39.0% from 3-point range while knocking down 138 3-pointers. The 6-foot guard/forward ranked fourth in the Big Ten in made 3-point field goals a game at 2.4.

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan State women's basketball: Matilda Ekh in transfer portal