play0:17Saniyah Hall threads the needle for Montverde and-1Saniyah Hall dishes a slick pass through traffic to Jayla Forbes, who gets the and-1 to fall vs. IMG.
Saniyah Hall threads the needle for Montverde and-1Saniyah Hall dishes a slick pass through traffic to Jayla Forbes, who gets the and-1 to fall vs. IMG.
Saniyah Hall dishes a slick pass through traffic to Jayla Forbes, who gets the and-1 to fall vs. IMG.
Signing week has come and gone, with a few major developments in the 2026 SC Next Top 100 that impacted some of the best recruiting classes in the country.
Texas was the big winner of the week. The Longhorns already had two top-60 commitments, then signed two more elite recruits in No. 8 Brihanna Crittendon and No. 10 Addison Bjorn. These commitments vaulted the Longhorns up the post-signing window class rankings. Vanderbilt (No. 35 Jhai Johnson), Michigan (No. 45 Fope Ayo) and Kansas (No. 33 Cydnee Bryant) also picked up early signing period commitments to improve their standing on the national scale.
Landing the top players in the country carries significant weight, too. Despite smaller classes, No. 1 Saniyah Hall (USC), No. 2 Oliviyah Edwards (Tennessee), No. 3 Olivia Vukosa (UConn), No. 4 Kate Harpring (North Carolina) and No. 6 McKenna Woliczko (Iowa) were all impactful developments for their respective schools. In the Trojans’ case, Hall’s overwhelming dominance, along with the addition of top international recruit Sitaya Fagan, was enough to maintain the top spot.
We can anticipate a few more changes by the end of the academic year due to a few factors. Four top-100 prospects have yet to announce their decisions, including the lone remaining five-star, Jerzy Robinson. Going into the early signing period, the No. 5 prospect’s choices were down to South Carolina and LSU, though with an extended process any additions to that list would not be a surprise.
For now, here’s a look at the top 25 recruiting classes in women’s college basketball after the early signing period.
For the third time in four years, USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb has the No. 1 recruit, with Hall following JuJu Watkins (2023) and Jazzy Davidson (2025). The Trojans also have arguably the top international recruit in Fagan.
Hall is a 6-foot do-everything guard who earned MVP honors at the U19 FIBA Women’s World Cup in July. She scores from everywhere and she’s an exceptional rebounder, particularly on offense.
Saniyah Hall threads the needle for Montverde and-1
A lean 6-4, Fagan glides down the court, attacks the rim in transition and can spot up for the 3. In the half court, she moves well without the ball to get to her spots.
A potential lineup next season of Watkins, Davidson, Kennedy Smith, Hall and Fagan would be as versatile, long and skilled as any we’ve seen in recent memory, and is a future WNBA-quality lineup.
Vic Schaefer went west to land two guards from the same club team — Spaight and Holguin — then layered in a pair of five-stars in Crittendon and Bjorn.
Crittendon, the top-ranked player in the Longhorns’ class, has a coveted blend of versatility as a prototypical 6-3 face-up forward with 3-point range and slashing ability. Improved defense and rebounding in the summer helped her rise in the rankings.
Bjorn, a wiry 6-1 wing, is one of the most adaptable and decorated players in the class. A three-time USA Basketball gold medalist, she’s a high-IQ facilitator who gets to the rim, and her defensive switchability will fit Texas’ pressure-based system perfectly.
Spaight was a massive stock riser this summer after averaging over 20 points a game on the Nike EYBL circuit. The shifty 5-7 point guard refined her skills and showed she can run a team and make others better. She could be a seamless replacement for Rori Harmon. Spaight also has plenty of experience running alongside Holguin, a 5-9 guard who will bring some much-needed shooting to the Longhorns’ lineup and can slide over to the lead guard role in a pinch.
Coach Kara Lawson’s latest recruiting class contains major star power and fills key roster needs with Duke set to graduate both Taina Mair and Ashlon Jackson after this season. This class is chock full of the types of interchangeable perimeter players and fundamentally-sound bigs that have long been the backbone of the Blue Devils’ success.
Fleary, a 5-7 point guard, plays with old-school savvy and a sharp handle, knack for distribution and scoring chops.
Green is another 6–0 guard with a strong frame and an all-around game aided by high-level rebounding and defense. She missed last year due to a knee injury but is expected back for her high school senior season.
Sofilkanich is a back-to-the-basket post player who seals hard on the block and can finish well over either shoulder.
Notre Dame’s 2026 high school class is headlined by four high-level forwards with varied skill sets and one of the nation’s premier shooters. This group will fill a considerable void with four of ND’s top five interior players graduating after this season.
The 6-2 Abii can play at the wing or as a stretch four. She’s an elite passer at either position and she can shoot or attack the rim from the perimeter. After missing most of last season with a knee injury, she’s expected to be fully healthy for her high school senior year at Legion Prep (Texas).
Lewis is a 5-10 long-range shooter with an expanded perimeter game. She’s a very intelligent defender and reads the floor well. Offensively, she makes good decisions in the pick-and-roll, and she’s added some wiggle off the bounce to keep defenses honest.
Also 6-2, Byles is an athletic face-up type who is at her best slashing to the rim and getting on the glass. She showed an improved pull-up jumper over the summer.
Sangha, meanwhile, was a late riser up the recruiting boards. The 6-3 post burst on the basketball scene in April with her effort on the glass and efficiency around the rim. She’s also a high-level volleyball player.
McDonald is a 6-0 guard who can create her own shot or play out of the flow of action to get open opportunities to launch from deep.
No. 11 G Trinity Jones No. 27 W/F Kimora Fields No. 39 F Julia Scott No. 50 G Meeyah Green Three-star P Dyarri Braddick
After landing two top-100 recruits last year, Shawn Poppie has locked in four top-50 players in the 2026 class.
Jones is one of the class’ elite talents. The 6-1 guard slashes to the rim with an explosiveness that is hard to defend.
Scott is an old school 6-3 forward who also can space the floor with her ability to catch and shoot.
Green’s poise, decision-making and confident play style makes everyone better around her on the court.
No. 28 W Addison Nyemchek No. 32 G Gigi Battle No. 64 PG Ashlinn James Four-star C Zoe Jackson (Australia)
A year ago, coach Teri Moren had the No. 21 class. The Hoosiers’ 2026 group is once again poised to make an impact, and has a little bit of everything.
Nyemchek brings length, switchability and high IQ at 6-1. She’s an elite glue player because she’s comfortable anywhere on the floor and can plug holes on both ends.
At 5-11, Battle is fiercely competitive and dramatically improved her offensive game, leading to a notable rise in her recruiting stock.
Jackson, a 6-4 Australian post, anchors the class inside. She’ll function like a traditional big who primarily controls the paint and around the rim.
Vukosa’s commitment is a major development for the reigning champions. She’s far and away the best big in the class as a modern center who can handle, shoot and facilitate. She has all the ingredients required for successful post players under Geno Auriemma. At 6-4, Vukosa moves fluidly for her size and brings valuable international seasoning after three summers of FIBA competition with Croatia. Expect her to mesh well with fellow future frontcourt teammates Sarah Strong and Blanca Quiñonez.
The 5-8 Popovic will remind Husky fans a little of Nika Muhl, although Popovic’s game is a bit more focused on the offensive end compared to Muhl’s defensive prowess. Popovic is a shifty floor general type, a poised ball handler and solid decision-maker. She is a crafty finisher around the rim and a knockdown catch-and-shooter from 3-point range.
In her first full recruiting cycle last year, coach Kim Caldwell made a big splash with the Lady Vols’ second-ranked, five-player 2025 class. Replicating that volume will be tough, but the 2026 haul has one of the premier impact players, plus a high-level blue-collar wing to watch.
Edwards is a skilled and multifaceted 6-3 forward who creates constant matchup problems. She stretches the floor as a face-up shooter, can attack off the bounce and has the dexterity to finish with either hand at the rim. Stylistically, she should flourish with the Lady Vols.
Minus is a physical wing whose competitiveness stands out. Though she missed most of her 2024-25 high school and club seasons with a knee injury, she’s known for being a hard-driving slasher and shooter. She’s a committed, tough defender who rebounds well and can guard multiple positions.
Dawn Staley will add a formidable frontcourt with the 2026 class. These two are physical and have the skill to play in multiple spots on the floor.
Wynn is a confident and vocal presence on the floor with an exceptionally high basketball IQ. She is the daughter of longtime coaches, and brings that experience to the team. She is skilled in her offensive game and physical and confrontational defensively.
Andrews is a formidable post presence. She works the offensive glass, can finish with either hand around the rim and can stretch the floor beyond the three. She is also a quality high-low passer, making her a valuable addition to a program like the Gamecocks, who use their bigs.
Harpring is the most aggressive scoring guard in the 2026 class. At 5-10, with a strong, broad frame, she relentlessly attacks defenses and hunts buckets. She has added a masterful pull-up and respectable 3-point shooting to her driving skills. She’s also a rugged defender on the ball, and competitive.