Image ALT Text:Women’s college basketball recruiting: Kaleena Smith
Women’s College Basketball Recruiting: Top 25 Stars
The women’s college basketball recruiting landscape has become even more competitive following ESPN’s latest post-summer evaluation of the nation’s top high school prospects. The updated ranking brings together players from the 2027, 2028 and 2029 classes, creating a single list of the 25 prospects viewed as the strongest future college and professional players. EESPN.com
At the top is Kaleena Smith, the standout 2027 point guard from Ontario Christian in California. Smith’s combination of scoring, playmaking, international experience and championship success has made her one of the most closely watched prospects in the country.
The updated rankings also underline an important trend in recruiting. Elite talent is emerging well beyond the senior class, with several sophomores and even a freshman-level prospect earning places among the nation’s best.
Women’s College Basketball Recruiting Puts Kaleena Smith at No. 1
Smith’s position at No. 1 is hardly a surprise after a remarkable summer.
The 2027 point guard averaged 31.5 points and 6.9 assists per game during her junior season at Ontario Christian. She also shot 54% from the field and 38% from three-point range while helping her school win the CIF Open Division championship. EESPN.com
Her success continued with Team USA.
Smith averaged 19.8 points and 6.4 assists at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup and earned a place on the tournament’s All-Star Five. She then capped her summer by helping win the adidas 3SSB championship while leading the circuit in scoring.
That résumé explains why so many major programs remain involved.
According to ESPN’s latest update, UConn, USC, UCLA, Notre Dame, Baylor, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Louisville, LSU, California, Oklahoma, Georgia, Washington and Arizona State are among the programs in the mix for Smith. EESPN.com
Smith has also begun an extensive official-visit schedule, making her recruitment one of the biggest storylines heading into the next phase of the 2027 cycle. Recent reports have confirmed visits involving major programs including Washington, with additional trips scheduled throughout the fall. YYahoo Sports+1
Ivanna Wilson Manyacka Emerges as a Major Threat
ESPN ranks Ivanna Wilson Manyacka No. 2 overall.
The 2027 wing enjoyed another impressive international summer. She helped Team USA win gold at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after averaging 12.9 points per game. EESPN.com
Her development is particularly important because of her ability to impact games beyond scoring.
Wilson Manyacka has already demonstrated the ability to compete against elite national and international opponents. ESPN noted that continued improvement in her half-court game could make her an even more influential player at the next level.
Her recruiting calendar is also packed.
Visits to LSU, Notre Dame and Duke are among the programs scheduled to receive her attention, while Texas, North Carolina, UCLA, Maryland and UConn are also involved. EESPN.com
Caroline Bradley Gives LSU a Huge Recruiting Win
At No. 3 is Caroline Bradley, a 2027 post player who has already made her college decision.
Bradley is committed to LSU and is considered by ESPN to be the best post player in the country. Her game combines physical strength, interior skill, mobility and an increasingly reliable three-point shot. EESPN.com
She also gained valuable international experience with USA Basketball.
Bradley helped Team USA win gold at the FIBA U17 World Cup in the Czech Republic. Although a shoulder injury limited her minutes during the tournament, her overall body of work kept her firmly among the country’s elite prospects.
For LSU, securing a player of Bradley’s caliber gives the program an important building block for the future.
Jezelle Banks and Eve Long Keep the 2027 Class Loaded
Jezelle Banks is ranked fourth and represents another elite guard in the 2027 class.
Banks is known for her ball control, finishing ability and passing. Her improved shooting has added another dimension to her game, while her USA Basketball experience has helped her become more comfortable playing in high-pressure environments. EESPN.com
She has visits scheduled with Texas, South Carolina, LSU and Ohio State.
At No. 5 is Eve Long, a Notre Dame commit.
Long has continued to expand her game after a strong club season and successful USA Basketball experience. ESPN highlighted her performance on the adidas 3SSB circuit, including a 52-point game against Smith.
She later averaged 12 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists for the USA U17 team that won gold.
Micah Ojo and Jordyn Palmer Continue to Rise
Two more 2027 prospects round out the next section of the rankings.
Micah Ojo, ranked No. 6, is described as one of the country’s most complete players. She led Princess Anne High School to another Virginia state championship before contributing to Team USA’s U17 gold-medal run.
Ojo averaged 2.1 steals and shot 42.9% from three-point range at the FIBA U17 World Cup. She then helped YKS win the Power 24 circuit championship. EESPN.com
Jordyn Palmer, ranked No. 7, also enjoyed a spectacular summer.
Palmer averaged 18.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.2 steals while earning MVP honors at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup. Her versatility allows her to play multiple positions, rebound at a high level and finish around the basket.
South Carolina and Ohio State are among the programs with official visits scheduled.
Tatianna Griffin Is the Highest-Ranked 2028 Prospect
The biggest indication that this ranking is about more than the current senior class comes at No. 8.
Tatianna Griffin, a 2028 guard, is the highest-ranked player from her class on ESPN’s combined list.
Griffin is already ranked No. 1 in ESPN’s 2028 SC Next 60. She combines strength and skill with the ability to initiate offense and score at a high level. EESPN.com
Her summer résumé is impressive.
Griffin won gold with Team USA at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup before leading Sports Academy Swish to the EYBL championship. She also transferred to Mater Dei in California, adding another major development to her high school career.
Because she is still early in her high school journey, her ceiling could be extremely high.
Haylen Ayers and Chloe Johnson Add More Guard Talent
At No. 9 is Haylen Ayers, another 2027 guard with an impressive all-around résumé.
Ayers is known for her ability to create shots, use screens and attack defenses from different areas of the court. Her current list of schools includes Texas, Vanderbilt, Duke, Kentucky and UConn. EESPN.com
Chloe Johnson, ranked No. 10, is the second-highest 2028 prospect on the list.
Johnson’s size and versatility make her especially intriguing. She can operate as a traditional point guard while also becoming a primary scoring option.
She averaged 31.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and five assists during the previous season, while also producing strong numbers at Nike Nationals. ESPN noted that improved three-point and free-throw shooting could take her game to another level. EESPN.com
The Middle of the Top 25 Is Packed With Talent
The ranking continues to showcase the depth of the women’s basketball recruiting pipeline.
The complete top 25 includes:
- Kaleena Smith — 2027
- Ivanna Wilson Manyacka — 2027
- Caroline Bradley — 2027
- Jezelle Banks — 2027
- Eve Long — 2027
- Micah Ojo — 2027
- Jordyn Palmer — 2027
- Tatianna Griffin — 2028
- Haylen Ayers — 2027
- Chloe Johnson — 2028
- Sydney Savoury — 2027
- Qandace Samuels — 2027
- Nation Williams — 2027
- Lauren Hassell — 2027
- Nyajuacni Riak — 2028
- Ryan Carter — 2027
- Jayla Forbes — 2027
- Ashley MacCalla — 2027
- Avery Arije — 2027
- Miciah Fusilier — 2027
- Sydney Douglas — 2028
- Morghan Reckley — 2028
- Kristen Winston — 2029
- Reece Gilpatrick — 2028
- Jaiyana Bogan-Jacobs — 2029
The ranking shows just how much talent is coming through the pipeline, particularly among the 2027 and 2028 classes. TTwStalker
Nyajuacni Riak Is One of the Biggest Stock Risers
One of the most intriguing names outside the top 10 is Nyajuacni Riak, ranked No. 15.
The 2028 forward made significant improvements in several areas during the spring and summer. ESPN highlighted her improved ball handling, defensive physicality and shooting range.
She also earned a place on the USA U17 World Cup team and helped the Americans win gold. EESPN.com
Riak’s age makes her especially interesting.
She still has considerable time to develop physically and technically. If her improvement continues, ESPN suggests she could eventually challenge for the No. 1 spot in the 2028 class.
Younger Prospects Are Changing Women’s Basketball Recruiting
Perhaps the most striking part of the updated ranking is the presence of players from the 2029 class.
Kristen Winston, ranked No. 23, is the No. 1 player in ESPN’s 2029 SC Next 25. She already possesses a mature offensive game and enjoyed an excellent EYBL season.
Winston averaged 19 points per game during her EYBL 17U debut while shooting more than 52% from three-point range. She followed that with another strong performance at Nike Nationals. EESPN.com
Her inclusion demonstrates how early elite talent is now being evaluated.
The same applies to Jaiyana Bogan-Jacobs, who rounds out the top 25. The presence of two 2029 prospects shows that scouts are increasingly looking beyond the immediate recruiting cycle when evaluating future college stars.
Why the Post-Summer Ranking Matters
Summer basketball is one of the most important periods in the recruiting calendar.
Elite prospects compete in major club circuits such as Nike EYBL, adidas 3SSB, Under Armour Next and other national events. College coaches and scouts get opportunities to evaluate players against high-level competition while also watching how prospects perform when the stakes increase.
ESPN’s latest ranking came after four NCAA live periods and the conclusion of several major summer circuits. EESPN.com
That timing makes the update especially significant.
The ranking is not simply a projection based on high school statistics. It also considers club performance, international basketball, championship success, physical development, positional value and long-term potential.
For college programs, those evaluations can influence recruiting priorities for years.
The Race for Kaleena Smith Will Be One to Watch
The biggest storyline remains Smith’s recruitment.
The No. 1 overall prospect has attracted virtually every major women’s basketball power, and her decision could have a significant impact on the 2027 recruiting cycle.
Recent reports indicate that Smith has an extensive official-visit schedule, with major programs continuing to compete for her commitment. UConn, USC, UCLA, Baylor and other national contenders remain prominent names surrounding her recruitment. YYahoo Sports+1
Her decision will also provide an early indication of how the next generation of women’s college basketball stars may be distributed among the sport’s traditional powers.
For now, however, there is no commitment.
A New Generation Is Already Taking Shape
The latest women’s college basketball recruiting rankings offer a clear message: the future of the sport is loaded with talent.
Smith sits at the top after a dominant junior season and outstanding international summer. Wilson Manyacka, Bradley, Banks, Long, Ojo and Palmer give the 2027 class remarkable depth.
Meanwhile, Griffin, Johnson, Riak, Douglas and Reckley demonstrate the strength of the 2028 group. The inclusion of Winston and Bogan-Jacobs proves that elite talent is already emerging in the 2029 class.
With another high school season approaching, these rankings are certain to change. Some prospects will rise, others will fall, and several currently outside the top 25 could force their way into the national conversation.
But after the summer evaluation period, one conclusion is difficult to dispute: women’s college basketball recruiting is entering another exceptionally talented era.
External source: ESPN — Women’s college basketball recruiting: Top 25 players regardless of class
Image source: USA Basketball — Kaleena Smith profile
Internal link note: No target website/domain was provided, so internal links cannot be inserted accurately without inventing URLs.
