The early signing window (Nov. 11-18) is a traditional point at which rosters begin to take shape. At the center of it all are the five-star players -- 18 of whom have already announced where they will play basketball after high school.
As key players continue to make decisions about their basketball careers, we'll keep making way-too-early projections about those fits, and how they are shaping the future of women's college basketball.
Players are ordered by rank below. Jump to the most recent commitment here.
More:
SC Next 100 player rankings | 2027 recruiting class rankings
Caroline Bradley, C
2027 SC Next 60 ranking: 3
Committed to: LSU
Commitment date: April 6, 2026
Background: The highest rated post in the country, Bradley chose her home state LSU Tigers over the likes of Alabama, UCLA, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Duke, South Carolina and Texas A&M. Bradley was a member of the U16 USA Basketball Junior National team that won gold at FIBA Americas last summer. She looks to repeat that experience this summer with the U17 Women's FIBA World Cup team in July. Bradley is the highest-rated recruit from the state of Louisiana since LSU guard Mikaylah Williams in 2023.
How she fits: Bradley will be the next foundational player inside for a program known for its interior style of play. Her rugged and physical nature will fit in well with what is expected of Mulkey's bigs at LSU. As it currently stands, when Bradley arrives on campus, she will join forwards Grace Knox and ZaKiyah Johnson as a major contributor. To complement Bradley, the Tigers may continue to look to bolster their perimeter depth in the 2027 class.
Jezelle 'GG' Banks, PG
2027 SCNext 100 ranking: 4
Committed to: South Carolina
Commitment date: Oct. 10, 2026
Background: The second-ranked point guard in the country, Banks chose South Carolina over Texas and LSU, and is the highest-rated point guard to commit to South Carolina since Raven Johnson (2021). After spending her first two high school seasons at Ursuline Academy (Delaware), she transferred to The St. James Performance Academy (D.C.), leading the first-year program to the Chipotle Nationals. She was a standout at the Nike EYBL this past summer and also helped Team USA win a gold medal at the women's U18 FIBA AmeriCup. She also won the WNBA All-Star weekend's Shooting Stars competition alongside Elena Delle Donne and Shakira Austin.
How she fits: The average height of the current South Carolina roster is over 6-foot-2, but the Gamecocks currently lack a traditional point guard. Banks, at 5-10, has the opportunity to be the lead guard on a roster full of extremely athletic and interchangeable players. With the presumed return of proven stars Joyce Edwards, Jordan Lee and Agot Makeer -- as well as any number of the second-ranked 2026 recruiting class -- Banks' style of play and elite point guard skills should enhance South Carolina on both ends of the floor.
Eve Long, F
2027 SC Next 60 ranking: 5
Committed to: Notre Dame
Commitment date: May 20, 2026
Background: The USA U16 Junior National Team gold medalist chose Notre Dame over UConn and UCLA, giving Niele Ivey and the Fighting Irish their first commitment in the 2027 class, and their highest-ranked recruit since Kate Koval in 2024. The 6-3 Long was named to the All-Star Five at the 2025 FIBA Americas competition and looks to run it back with the U17 USA Team in July in Czechia. She has had a breakout year that included being named the Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year and, most recently, scoring 52 points on the Adidas 3SSB circuit in April.
How she fits: Notre Dame has the No. 5 recruiting class for 2026, a forward-heavy group headlined by five-star Jacy Abii. When she arrives on campus next fall, however, Long will be the most talented prospect among the group, and will bring a multifaceted game that will pair well with Abii and sharpshooter Jenica Lewis.
Micah Ojo, W
2027 SCNext 100 ranking: 6
Committed to: North Carolina
Commitment date: Oct. 8, 2026
Background: Ojo chooses the Tar Heels over finalists Duke and Vanderbilt. She has a résumé chock full of wins: multiple Virginia state championships, two gold medals with USA Basketball and a Power 24 independent club circuit championship with YKS. This summer with Team USA's U17 World Cup team, she averaged 11 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists en route to being named to the tournament's second team. She is also the reigning Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year.
How she fits: Ojo will join a young but effective backcourt next fall. With star 2026 signee Kate Harpring presumably taking over the reins at point guard and wing Nyla Brooks (all-ACC freshman last season) returning to the lineup for her junior year, Ojo has a major opportunity to start. Her ability to guard multiple positions, rebound and initiate offense will help the Tar Heels, who like to run, space the floor and play out of transition. With a fifth-year option for both finesse forward Cierra Toomey and physical forward Taissa Quieroz, Ojo's commitment could position the Tar Heels for a return to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2014.
Jordyn Palmer, W
2027 SCNext 100 ranking: 7
Committed to: South Carolina
Commitment date: Oct. 23, 2026
Background: A two-time Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year winner, Palmer is coming off a highly productive summer, averaging nearly 20 points at the Nike Nationals and then winning a gold medal, and MVP honors, with Team USA at the FIBA U18 Women's AmeriCup. The 6-1 wing chose the Gamecocks over UCLA, Penn State and Ohio State.
How she fits: Palmer rounds out a 2027 class for South Carolina that also includes two point guards (No. 4 Jezelle Banks and No. 30 Taylor Brown) and a center (No. 18 Zaniya Johnson). As things stand, this will give Dawn Staley a core for future Final Four and championship runs. The Gamecocks have major depth in the frontcourt, and Palmer gives them another elite and versatile piece. With the likes of Joyce Edwards, Kaeli Wynn, Oliviyah Edwards, Ayla McDowell, Jerzy Robinson and Agot Makeer returning, competition for minutes will be high. However, this allows the South Carolina lineups to continue to be big and interchangeable.
How South Carolina has become a top destination for elite freshman talent: The 2014 recruiting cycle marked a major turning point for the program when it landed A'ja Wilson and fellow five-stars Jatarie White and Bianca Cuevas. That trio went on to lead the Gamecocks to their first national championship in 2017. Staley has since won two more titles, along the way bringing in eventual foundational members such as Aliyah Boston, Zia Cooke, Laeticia Amihere and Brea Beal in the No. 1 2019 class. Since 2021, Dawn Staley has signed 19 five-star players, making Columbia that preeminent destination in college women's basketball.
What's more, she's willing to recruit deep at every position, even in this transfer portal era. We aren't seeing many four-player (or more) classes with the new fifth year of eligibility, but South Carolina publicly talks about churning out pros -- so fifth-year needs are seemingly less at the program.
Sydney Savoury, G
2027 SCNext 100 ranking: 9
Committed to: UConn
Commitment date: Nov. 6, 2026
Background: Savoury is UConn's first 2027 commit and chose the Huskies over finalists USC, North Carolina, Texas, Notre Dame and UCLA. She gives UConn at least one five-star commitment in 13 consecutive classes. A U18 FIBA AmeriCup gold medalist, she averaged 27 PPG, 7 RPG and 3 APG as a junior at Belleville High (Michigan). She followed that up by winning MVP of Nike EYBL after averaging 21.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG and 2.3 APG.
How she fits: Savoury is a major scorer. Her deep shooting range and ability to create off the dribble, along with her physicality at the rim and rebounding, should fit seamlessly in UConn's up-tempo system. While reigning national player of the year Sarah Strong, emerging Serbian freshman guard Jovanna Popovic, sophomore forward Blanca Quinones and numerous others are expected to return next year, the Huskies don't have anyone who can create their own perimeter offense off the bounce quite like Savoury.
Qandace Samuels, G
2027 SCNext 100 ranking: 10
Committed to: Texas
Commitment date: Nov. 10, 2026
Background: The 6-2 wing chose Texas over LSU, Virginia Tech and Rutgers. She comes from a championship winning pedigree at both Bishop McNamara (Maryland) and Team Takeover on the EYBL circuit where she averaged 19.2 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.9 APG and 2.9 SPG. She is the second Texas commit in the class. Samuels hails from a basketball family: older sister Qadence was part of UConn's 2025 national championship team and now plays at NC State, while older brother Qayden, the No. 31 recruit in the 2026 men's recruiting class, is playing his first college season for Alabama.
How she fits: Samuels' length and size at the wing position, plus her defensive intensity, make her a perfect fit for the Longhorns. She will bring a long-range shooting threat and impact rebounding from the perimeter as well as the ability to play multiple positions. The combination of her and 6-7 Jayla Forbes (No. 14 in the 2027 class) gives Vic Schaefer two prototypical players. With All-American senior Madison Booker expected to depart for the WNBA in the spring, Samuels can slide in as another hybrid forward to go along with the four five-stars from the No. 3 ranked 2026 class. Samuels can be very interchangeable in lineups with 6-1 wing Addison Bjorn and 6-3 forward Brihanna Crittendon, giving Texas major versatility in their lineup.
Nation Williams, F
2027 SCNext 100 ranking: 11
Committed to: UCLA
Commitment date: Nov. 11, 2026
Background: The 6-2 forward from Utah picked the Bruins over Duke, Iowa, North Carolina and Notre Dame. She's a two-time gold medalist with Team USA, and as a sophomore in Las Vegas won a Nevada 5A state championship as well as the state's 2024-25 Gatorade Player of the Year award. Her mother is Hall of Famer Natalie Williams, who played basketball and volleyball at UCLA before playing and then holding executive roles in the WNBA.
How she fits: With the veteran interior at UCLA and looming graduations, Williams will have a solid early opportunity to contribute alongside returning forward Sienna Betts. Williams' dedication to the defensive end and the glass gives her a competitive advantage. She can also contribute in the power forward spot or slide over to the center spot in small-ball lineups. Williams adds balance to a top-3 recruiting class that also includes five-star Finley Parcher, No. 87 Ginny Dumont and international center Anna Smykovskaia (Spain).
Lauren Hassell, F
2027 SCNext 60 ranking: 12
Committed to: Vanderbilt
Commitment date: May 29, 2026
Background: The daughter of NBA veteran Trenton Hassell, Lauren was also considering Louisville and North Carolina before ultimately picking the Commodores. She was named Ms. Basketball in the state of Tennessee after averaging 25.5 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.5 assist on 60% shooting from the field during her high school junior season. She is set to miss the summer club circuit after having ankle surgery, but should return for her senior high school season. This is Vanderbilt's first commitment in the 2027 class.
How she fits: Hassell will join a lineup that is expected to see 2026 signee Jhai Johnson in the front court, as well as rising junior Mia Woolfolk, who transferred in from Georgia this offseason. Hassell will bring similar length as Johnson, with the physical aggressiveness of Woolfolk, and add the ability to stretch the floor and facilitate from the forward or post position as well. Look for Vandy to add some shooting and more perimeter punch around her as the 2027 recruiting cycle picks up.
Ryan Carter, G
2027 SCNext 100 ranking: 13
Committed to: North Carolina
Commitment date: Oct. 12, 2026
Background: Carter, the third-best guard in the 2027 class, holds the reputation as one of the more aggressive players off the bounce. She's also another gold medalist (FIBA U18 women's AmeriCup) get for the Tar Heels, committing four days after No. 6 Micah Ojo. Over the course of a busy summer, Carter averaged 14.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists on the EYBL circuit and participated in the WNBA Shooting Stars contest with Rebekkah Brunson and the Minnesota Lynx's Courtney Williams. Before that, she led Friends' Central to its first Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association championship. She chose UNC over finalists Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Duke and Indiana.
How she fits: This is the third straight year of signing five-star backcourt players for Courtney Banghart, after Nyla Brooks in 2025 and Kate Harpring in 2026. Carter and Harpring should play complimentary roles as physical defenders who rebound well and offensively put enormous pressure on the paint. Consistency from Harpring, Brooks and Ojo will only add to Carter's production value and overall decision-making going to the rim. Being around other players who can create and play at the same high tempo should help, and all four should help take the program to the next level. The next step for North Carolina would be the addition of a comparable interior player.
Jayla Forbes, C
2027 SCNext 100 ranking: 14
Committed to: Texas
Commitment date: July 16, 2026
Background: The 6-7 Forbes chose Texas over Notre Dame, UCLA, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, Cal and Mississippi State and is having a massively productive summer. She won a gold medal with Team USA at the U18 FIBA AmeriCup, and has led her team (Her Elite) to a 6-0 record in the third Nike EYBL stop. She averaged 16.2 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 64.6% from the field and 79.2% from the free throw line in just over 20 minutes per game. She is Texas' first commitment in the class.
How she fits: Forbes is the prototypical post player Schaefer. Size and position is a foundational piece for success in Austin. She will remind Texas fans of Kyla Oldacre, who recently graduated. Forbes' physical tools, mobility and general competitive enthusiasm will add depth. She will supplement the tremendous perimeter talent from that class and give the team an anchor inside once she arrives in 2027-28.
Ashley MacCalla, G
2027 SCNext 100 ranking: 15
Committed to: Rutgers
Commitment date: Nov. 7, 2026
Background: The high-energy MacCalla chose Rutgers over Oklahoma, Cal, Miami and Virginia. In her first season at St. James Performance Academy, she helped the first-year program reach the 2026 Chipotle High School Nationals. MacCalla plays her club basketball with Exodus NYC on the Nike EYBL circuit and averaged 15.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and two assists.
How she fits: MacCalla has an opportunity to make an immediate impact at Rutgers. She joins No. 77 Emily Forrester to create an impressive recruiting haul for first-year head coach Gary Redus built on length and a well-rounded offensive presence. MacCalla provides the Scarlet Knights much-needed versatility. She's a good fit alongside point guard Mia Pauldo, who loves to play with pace, and also gives Rutgers another intense, confrontational defender.
Avery Arije, G
2027 SCNext 100 ranking: 16
Committed to: Notre Dame
Commitment date: Oct. 9, 2026
Background: Arije chose the Irish over Duke, Cal, Penn State and Maryland. The Toronto native has participated with the Canadian national team at the 2023 and 2025 FIBA U16 Women's AmeriCup tournaments and the 2024 and 2026 FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cups. This summer, she also played on the Adidas 3SSB circuit, averaging 14.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
How she fits: With the impending graduation of Hannah Hidalgo, as well as a focus on frontcourt production in the 2026 cycle, the perimeter was going to be a major priority for the Fighting Irish in this class. Arije and fellow commit Chasity Rice will play a major role in replenishing that major backcourt production. Along with Eve Long, the trio should mesh well with forward Jacy Abii, sharp-shooting Jenica Lewis and wing Isabella Ragone from that fifth-ranked incoming freshman group.
Miciah Fusilier, F
2027 SCNext 100 ranking: 17
Committed to: Baylor
Commitment date: Jan. 31, 2026
Background: A four-star at the beginning of the calendar year, Fusilier was one of the earliest in the SC Next 100 class to commit. She was subsequently elevated to five-star status after averaging 11 points and 5.8 rebounds on the Nike EYBL circuit this summer with a true shooting percentage above 56%. She's an extremely versatile forward who may even see some wing minutes in her future. Her strengths lie in being efficient around the rim, an ability to stretch the floor, committed defense and rebounding and guarding multiple positions. She averaged 7 points and 8 rebounds for gold medal-winning Team USA at the U18 women's Americup this summer.
How she fits: As a versatile forward, Fusilier should be able to step right in and get some minutes in the pro-style Baylor offense. She will give Nikki Collen multiple options in the pick and roll game as well as a competent ballhandler at the forwards spot. Defensively, with her mobility and length, she should add some spice to an aggressive defensive game plan. She joins a well-balanced class that also includes No. 19 Ogechi Okeke and No. 49 Samari Holmen.
Zaniya Johnson, C
2027 SCNext 100 ranking: 18
Committed to: South Carolina
Commitment date: Oct. 21, 2026
Background: The Mississippi native has dominated since she was a middle schooler on the varsity circuit. Johnson carried that momentum to the national stage, where her size and strength on the interior made her the nation's No. 3-ranked post player. Beating LSU for Johnson's commitment was a big win for Dawn Staley's 2027 group on the heels of putting together the nation's No. 2 recruiting class in 2026. She's the third commitment for Staley in October.
How she fits: Johnson is the interior force that South Carolina needs to balance out its 2027 group, which also includes No. 4 Jezelle "GG" Banks and No. 30 Taylor Brown. Cracking the Gamecocks' perennially loaded frontcourt rotation will not be easy, but Johnson's defensive prowess as a rim protector will help her cause. Additional physical development in a college strength and conditioning program will add to her mobility and savviness in pick-and-roll defense and allow her to compete for more regular minutes.
Ogechi Okeke, F
2027 SC Next 60 ranking: 19
Committed to: Baylor
Commitment date: April 26, 2026
Background: Okeke announced her commitment coming off the first NCAA live period of the spring. She had offers from every major conference in the country after averaging a double-double during her junior year at Hightower High School in Texas. She is currently averaging 9.5 points and 7.0 rebounds on the Nike EYBL circuit through two stops this spring. She is the Bears' second commitment in the 2027 class, after four-star forward Miciah Fusilier last fall. Okeke is Baylor's first five-star recruit since Darianna Littlepage-Buggs in 2022.
How she fits: Coach Nicki Collen will look to add a point guard this recruiting cycle to balance out the 2027 front line pairing of Okeke and Fusilier. Baylor was rather perimeter-oriented this past season, following the graduation of Aaronette Vonleh (14.9 points and 5.8 rebounds). Okeke should give the Bears that kind of anchor again next fall, and complement the finesse play of Fusilier.
Azariah Jackson, F
2027 SCNext 100 ranking: 20
Committed to: Indiana
Commitment date: Oct. 2, 2026
Background: Jackson was a steady stockriser over the spring and summer circuits, going from unranked to No. 20 behind several breakout performances -- until a knee injury ended her season in July. The 6-4 forward out of Washington chose the Hoosiers over a geographically varied list including Cal, USC, Kansas and North Carolina.
How she fits: Jackson gives Teri Moren her third SC Next 100 commit in the 2027 class, alongside point guard Brookeslee Colvin (No. 24) and forward Finley Parker (No. 66). Indiana loves to space the floor, and Jackson's versatility -- she can function as the point forward in an offense but her size allows her to also play either the wing or in traditional post areas -- should gel perfectly alongside Maya Makalusky and Zania Socka-Nguemen, once she arrives healthy in Bloomington. Jackson will also benefit from finishing her rehab in a college setting, especially as she aims to prove her perimeter skill package can translate to the college ranks.
Finley Parcher, G
2027 SCNext 100 ranking: 21
Committed to: UCLA
Commitment date: Sept. 29, 2026
Background: The versatile 6-1 guard chose UCLA over UConn, Oregon, Gonzaga, Stanford and Washington. Parcher is a multi-sport state champion -- she also plays volleyball though is not expected to continue in college -- who has won at every level. Her club team, the Northwest Blazers, was undefeated all season then took the UA Next championship in the summer. Parcher, for her part, is efficient from the field (over 50% from the field and 80% from the free throw line on the circuit) and can guard anyone on the floor.
How she fits: Parcher will remind Bruins fans of Chicago Sky rookie and alum Gabriela Jaquez. Her hard-nosed competitive approach should give her early opportunities for the 2026 national champions. She should complement the expected returning perimeter of this season's transfers Elina Aarnisalo (North Carolina) and Bonnie Deas (Arkansas) as a versatile glue piece as she adjusts to the college game.