The point guard of the future for the University of Wisconsin women's basketball team is officially on board.

Tiera Stephen, who started the NCAA championship game for Louisville three months ago, completed her transfer requirements by signing a Big Ten Conference tender, UW announced Wednesday.

Per NCAA transfer rules, the 5-foot-7 Stephen -- who has three years of eligibility remaining -- will have to sit out the coming season.

Stephen is expected to walk into the lineup after guards Rae Lin D'Alie and Teah Gant use up their eligibility following the 2010 season.

"Tiera will be able to slide right in at point guard," said UW coach Lisa Stone, who was notified of Stephen's plans to transfer in May but could not comment until the tender was signed.

"It will be nice to have her here for a year to learn the system. We're excited that she joins us because we recruited her out of high school."

In May, Stephen told madison.com sportsher decision to leave Louisville came after a postseason meeting with coach Jeff Walz.

"It was a decision me and my coach made for me to move on and find a better fit," Stephen said. "Everybody was surprised. I don't regret it. It was stressful at first, but now that I picked Wisconsin, it's a big relief."

The Dayton, Ohio native, was not a significant contributor statistically as a true freshman at Louisville, averaging 0.9 points and 0.8 rebounds per game. But she played in 37 games and started the final 10, including the title game loss to Connecticut.

Stephen played four seasons at Chaminade-Julienne Catholic High School in Dayton. She was a member of the school's Ohio state championship team as a freshman, and as a senior she averaged 12 points, seven rebounds and eight assists per game.

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