2027 Lady Vols Recruiting

Well...
it appears that, at least in current recruiting circles, last season's fall and fallout have not made CKC radioactive nor Tennesse irrelevant.
This new show on YouTube was definitely calculated and is being done to show exactly that…she isn’t radioactive and that the program isn’t irrelevant..
 
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This new show on YouTube was definitely calculated and is being done to show exactly that…she isn’t radioactive and that the program isn’t irrelevant..
Which show on youtube? There are many. If you speaking about the Access videos, i would definitely agree. Well produced. Some of the others, not so much.
 
Updated by Chappy ( Chat GPT app on my laptop). Please point out any errors!

2027 Recruiting Targets — Tennessee Watch List

Key: * = Tennessee offer or reoffer publicly posted by Kim Caldwell, as reflected in the tracker. Entire bold row = Tennessee is in a current named group or has a confirmed Tennessee visit. Gray row = a current public cut or commitment excludes Tennessee. Plain row = Tennessee offer/interest is reported, but I did not find a current finalist list or Tennessee visit date.

Player / School / Hometown / PosHtRatings / RankingsQuick Read / Tennessee Status
Kaleena Smith*; Ontario Christian — Ontario, CA; hometown: Perris, CA; PG5-5 / 5-6ESPN/SCNext: #1; Rivals Industry: #1, 5-star, 99.50; 247: #1, 99Elite lead guard with deep range, advanced creation, and command of the offense. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted. Visits: unofficial visit Oct. 13, 2025; Tennessee official visit scheduled for Sept. 25, 2026.
Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka*; Bullis School — Potomac, MD; SF/W6-1 / 6-2ESPN/SCNext: #2; Rivals Industry: #2, 5-star, 99.22; 247: #2, 98Powerful two-way wing with length, rebounding value, and strong finishing ability. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.
Caroline Bradley*; Oak Grove — Oak Grove, LA; C6-4 / 6-5ESPN/SCNext: #3; Rivals Industry: #6, 5-star, 98.39; 247: #7, 96True center with high-level post scoring, rebounding, and rim protection. Status: committed to LSU. Tennessee is out unless the recruitment changes.
Eve Long*; Olathe South — Olathe, KS; PF/C6-3ESPN/SCNext: #5; Rivals Industry: #8, 5-star, 98.26; 247: #8, 96Mobile, highly productive scoring forward with USA Basketball experience. Status: committed to Notre Dame. Tennessee is out unless the recruitment changes.
Haylen Ayers*; University School of Jackson — Jackson, TN; SG/W6-0ESPN/SCNext: #6; Rivals Industry: #3, 5-star, 99.14; 247: #3, 98In-state elite guard with size, strength, and three-level scoring ability. Status: top five is Duke, Kentucky, Texas, Vanderbilt, and UConn; Tennessee is not included.
Micah Ojo*; Princess Anne — Virginia Beach, VA; SF/W6-0 / 6-1ESPN/SCNext: #7; Rivals Industry: #7, 5-star, 98.30; 247: #9, 96Explosive wing athlete with transition, defensive, and slashing upside. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.
Sydney Savoury*; Belleville — Belleville, MI; SG5-11 / 6-0ESPN/SCNext: #8; Rivals Industry: #11, 5-star, 98.14; 247: #5, 97Big scoring guard with strong production and positional size. Status: current final six is Duke, North Carolina, UCLA, UConn, Notre Dame, and Texas; Tennessee is not included.
Jordyn Palmer*; Westtown School — West Chester/Oxford, PA; SF/W6-1 / 6-3ESPN/SCNext: #9; Rivals Industry: #5, 5-star, 98.60; 247: #6, 97Long, skilled wing with major national and USA Basketball credentials. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.
Qandace Samuels*; Bishop McNamara — District Heights, MD; SF/W6-1 / 6-2ESPN/SCNext: #11; Rivals Industry: #15, 5-star, 97.25; 247: #13, 95Big wing scorer with shooting touch and the strength to play through contact. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted. Tennessee is in her current top 10 with Alabama, LSU, North Carolina, NC State, Rutgers, Texas, Vanderbilt, Virginia, and Virginia Tech.
Ryan Carter*; Friends' Central — Wynnewood, PA; CG/SG5-10 / 6-0ESPN/SCNext: #12; Rivals Industry: #9, 5-star, 98.20; 247: #10, 96Athletic combo guard who can create, defend, and play on or off the ball. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.
Nation Williams; Lone Peak — Highland, UT; hometown: Las Vegas, NV; F/C6-2 / 6-4ESPN/SCNext: #14; Rivals Industry: #10, 5-star, 98.17; 247: #11, 96Physical, productive frontcourt player with rebounding and defensive versatility. Status: final five is Duke, Iowa, North Carolina, Notre Dame, and UCLA; Tennessee is not included.
Avery Arije*; Crestwood Prep — Toronto, Ontario; SG5-11 / 6-0ESPN/SCNext: #17; Rivals Industry: #14, 5-star, 97.47; 247: #14, 95Left-handed guard with downhill ability, shooting touch, and defensive athleticism. Her May 9, 2026 “Top 6 Interest” graphic included Tennessee with UCLA, South Carolina, UConn, Texas, and USC. This was not a finalist cut; no Tennessee visit date has been publicly confirmed.
Zaniya Johnson*; Biloxi — Biloxi, MS; PF/C6-4ESPN/SCNext: #18; Rivals Industry: #38, 5-star, 91.63; 247: #22, 95Long frontcourt prospect with rebounding, interior scoring, and shot-blocking potential. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.
Taylor Brown*; Long Island Lutheran — Glen Head, NY; hometown: Belmar, NJ; PG5-6 / 5-7ESPN/SCNext: #22; Rivals Industry: #21, 5-star, 96.86; 247: #24, 95Fast, disruptive point guard with strong defensive pressure and playmaking ability. Tennessee was reported as her first official visit, scheduled to begin June 25, 2026. Long Island Lutheran reported that a February 2026 injury ended her season and that she was progressing toward a return.
Sydney Mobley*; Big Walnut — Sunbury/Delaware, OH; PF/C6-1 / 6-2ESPN/SCNext: #29; Rivals Industry: #16, 5-star, 97.21; 247: #23, 95Productive Ohio forward with scoring, rebounding, and all-around versatility. Status: committed to Ohio State. Tennessee is out unless the recruitment changes.
Jada Jackson*; Frenship — Wolfforth/Lubbock, TX; PF/C6-2ESPN/SCNext: #30; Rivals Industry: #44, 5-star, 91.14; 247: #21, 95Physical Texas forward with major rebounding and double-double production. Status: committed to Texas Tech.
Amaya Manuel*; Lift for Life Academy — St. Louis, MO; club: Phee Elite; PG5-7 / 5-8ESPN/SCNext: #35, 94 grade; Prep Girls Hoops: #31; Rivals Industry/247: not listedScoring point guard who has led a state-championship team and can pressure defenses off the bounce or from three. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.
Jordan Speller*; Montverde Academy — Montverde, FL; hometown: Bethel, NC; PG5-6 / 5-7ESPN/SCNext: #37; Rivals Industry: #29, 5-star, 96.52; 247: #30, 95Quick left-handed point guard with downhill speed, creativity, and defensive pressure. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.
De'Andra Minor*; Grind Prep — Oklahoma City, OK; SG/CG6-0 / 6-1ESPN/SCNext: #41; Rivals Industry: #17, 5-star, 96.97; 247: #15, 95Physical combo guard with a strong frame and downhill attacking game. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.
Finley Chastain; Walnut Grove — Prosper/Dallas, TX; PG/SG6-0 / 6-1ESPN/SCNext: #44; Rivals Industry: #34, 5-star, 95.32; 247: #37, 93Big left-handed guard with shooting and playmaking value. Status: committed to Oklahoma.
C'India "CeCe" Dennis*; Creekside — Fairburn, GA; PG5-4 / 5-6ESPN/SCNext: #48; Rivals Industry: #50, 5-star, 85.49; 247: #17, 95Quick, productive scoring point guard. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted. Tennessee is in her final five with Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, and Georgia. Tennessee official visit: Sept. 4–6, 2026.
Kie'Aundria Acree*; Monroe — Albany, GA; SF/CG6-0ESPN/SCNext: #49; Rivals Industry: #26, 5-star, 96.62; 247: #34, 93Long Georgia guard/wing with slashing, defensive, and multi-position potential. Status: current top six is Arizona State, Georgia Tech, Missouri, Rutgers, Texas A&M, and Virginia; Tennessee is not included.
Maci Pringle; Flower Mound — Flower Mound, TX; PF/W6-1ESPN/SCNext: #58; Prep Girls Hoops: #69; Rivals Industry/247: not listedLong, athletic forward/wing with rebounding, defensive activity, and an improving perimeter game. Tennessee offer publicly reported May 24, 2026; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.

Practical read: The clearest active Tennessee-positive cases are Kaleena Smith, C'India "CeCe" Dennis, Qandace Samuels, Avery Arije, and Taylor Brown. Bradley, Long, Ayers, Savoury, Williams, Mobley, Jackson, Chastain, and Acree are gray because a commitment or current cut excludes Tennessee. The remaining plain rows are still offer/watch-list names, but I found no current Tennessee finalist placement or visit date.
 
Updated by Chappy ( Chat GPT app on my laptop). Please point out any errors!

2027 Recruiting Targets — Tennessee Watch List

Key: * = Tennessee offer or reoffer publicly posted by Kim Caldwell, as reflected in the tracker. Entire bold row = Tennessee is in a current named group or has a confirmed Tennessee visit. Gray row = a current public cut or commitment excludes Tennessee. Plain row = Tennessee offer/interest is reported, but I did not find a current finalist list or Tennessee visit date.

Player / School / Hometown / PosHtRatings / RankingsQuick Read / Tennessee Status
Kaleena Smith*; Ontario Christian — Ontario, CA; hometown: Perris, CA; PG5-5 / 5-6ESPN/SCNext: #1; Rivals Industry: #1, 5-star, 99.50; 247: #1, 99Elite lead guard with deep range, advanced creation, and command of the offense. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted. Visits: unofficial visit Oct. 13, 2025; Tennessee official visit scheduled for Sept. 25, 2026.
Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka*; Bullis School — Potomac, MD; SF/W6-1 / 6-2ESPN/SCNext: #2; Rivals Industry: #2, 5-star, 99.22; 247: #2, 98Powerful two-way wing with length, rebounding value, and strong finishing ability. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.
Caroline Bradley*; Oak Grove — Oak Grove, LA; C6-4 / 6-5ESPN/SCNext: #3; Rivals Industry: #6, 5-star, 98.39; 247: #7, 96True center with high-level post scoring, rebounding, and rim protection. Status: committed to LSU. Tennessee is out unless the recruitment changes.
Eve Long*; Olathe South — Olathe, KS; PF/C6-3ESPN/SCNext: #5; Rivals Industry: #8, 5-star, 98.26; 247: #8, 96Mobile, highly productive scoring forward with USA Basketball experience. Status: committed to Notre Dame. Tennessee is out unless the recruitment changes.
Haylen Ayers*; University School of Jackson — Jackson, TN; SG/W6-0ESPN/SCNext: #6; Rivals Industry: #3, 5-star, 99.14; 247: #3, 98In-state elite guard with size, strength, and three-level scoring ability. Status: top five is Duke, Kentucky, Texas, Vanderbilt, and UConn; Tennessee is not included.
Micah Ojo*; Princess Anne — Virginia Beach, VA; SF/W6-0 / 6-1ESPN/SCNext: #7; Rivals Industry: #7, 5-star, 98.30; 247: #9, 96Explosive wing athlete with transition, defensive, and slashing upside. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.
Sydney Savoury*; Belleville — Belleville, MI; SG5-11 / 6-0ESPN/SCNext: #8; Rivals Industry: #11, 5-star, 98.14; 247: #5, 97Big scoring guard with strong production and positional size. Status: current final six is Duke, North Carolina, UCLA, UConn, Notre Dame, and Texas; Tennessee is not included.
Jordyn Palmer*; Westtown School — West Chester/Oxford, PA; SF/W6-1 / 6-3ESPN/SCNext: #9; Rivals Industry: #5, 5-star, 98.60; 247: #6, 97Long, skilled wing with major national and USA Basketball credentials. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.
Qandace Samuels*; Bishop McNamara — District Heights, MD; SF/W6-1 / 6-2ESPN/SCNext: #11; Rivals Industry: #15, 5-star, 97.25; 247: #13, 95Big wing scorer with shooting touch and the strength to play through contact. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted. Tennessee is in her current top 10 with Alabama, LSU, North Carolina, NC State, Rutgers, Texas, Vanderbilt, Virginia, and Virginia Tech.
Ryan Carter*; Friends' Central — Wynnewood, PA; CG/SG5-10 / 6-0ESPN/SCNext: #12; Rivals Industry: #9, 5-star, 98.20; 247: #10, 96Athletic combo guard who can create, defend, and play on or off the ball. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.
Nation Williams; Lone Peak — Highland, UT; hometown: Las Vegas, NV; F/C6-2 / 6-4ESPN/SCNext: #14; Rivals Industry: #10, 5-star, 98.17; 247: #11, 96Physical, productive frontcourt player with rebounding and defensive versatility. Status: final five is Duke, Iowa, North Carolina, Notre Dame, and UCLA; Tennessee is not included.
Avery Arije*; Crestwood Prep — Toronto, Ontario; SG5-11 / 6-0ESPN/SCNext: #17; Rivals Industry: #14, 5-star, 97.47; 247: #14, 95Left-handed guard with downhill ability, shooting touch, and defensive athleticism. Her May 9, 2026 “Top 6 Interest” graphic included Tennessee with UCLA, South Carolina, UConn, Texas, and USC. This was not a finalist cut; no Tennessee visit date has been publicly confirmed.
Zaniya Johnson*; Biloxi — Biloxi, MS; PF/C6-4ESPN/SCNext: #18; Rivals Industry: #38, 5-star, 91.63; 247: #22, 95Long frontcourt prospect with rebounding, interior scoring, and shot-blocking potential. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.
Taylor Brown*; Long Island Lutheran — Glen Head, NY; hometown: Belmar, NJ; PG5-6 / 5-7ESPN/SCNext: #22; Rivals Industry: #21, 5-star, 96.86; 247: #24, 95Fast, disruptive point guard with strong defensive pressure and playmaking ability. Tennessee was reported as her first official visit, scheduled to begin June 25, 2026. Long Island Lutheran reported that a February 2026 injury ended her season and that she was progressing toward a return.
Sydney Mobley*; Big Walnut — Sunbury/Delaware, OH; PF/C6-1 / 6-2ESPN/SCNext: #29; Rivals Industry: #16, 5-star, 97.21; 247: #23, 95Productive Ohio forward with scoring, rebounding, and all-around versatility. Status: committed to Ohio State. Tennessee is out unless the recruitment changes.
Jada Jackson*; Frenship — Wolfforth/Lubbock, TX; PF/C6-2ESPN/SCNext: #30; Rivals Industry: #44, 5-star, 91.14; 247: #21, 95Physical Texas forward with major rebounding and double-double production. Status: committed to Texas Tech.
Amaya Manuel*; Lift for Life Academy — St. Louis, MO; club: Phee Elite; PG5-7 / 5-8ESPN/SCNext: #35, 94 grade; Prep Girls Hoops: #31; Rivals Industry/247: not listedScoring point guard who has led a state-championship team and can pressure defenses off the bounce or from three. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.
Jordan Speller*; Montverde Academy — Montverde, FL; hometown: Bethel, NC; PG5-6 / 5-7ESPN/SCNext: #37; Rivals Industry: #29, 5-star, 96.52; 247: #30, 95Quick left-handed point guard with downhill speed, creativity, and defensive pressure. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.
De'Andra Minor*; Grind Prep — Oklahoma City, OK; SG/CG6-0 / 6-1ESPN/SCNext: #41; Rivals Industry: #17, 5-star, 96.97; 247: #15, 95Physical combo guard with a strong frame and downhill attacking game. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.
Finley Chastain; Walnut Grove — Prosper/Dallas, TX; PG/SG6-0 / 6-1ESPN/SCNext: #44; Rivals Industry: #34, 5-star, 95.32; 247: #37, 93Big left-handed guard with shooting and playmaking value. Status: committed to Oklahoma.
C'India "CeCe" Dennis*; Creekside — Fairburn, GA; PG5-4 / 5-6ESPN/SCNext: #48; Rivals Industry: #50, 5-star, 85.49; 247: #17, 95Quick, productive scoring point guard. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted. Tennessee is in her final five with Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, and Georgia. Tennessee official visit: Sept. 4–6, 2026.
Kie'Aundria Acree*; Monroe — Albany, GA; SF/CG6-0ESPN/SCNext: #49; Rivals Industry: #26, 5-star, 96.62; 247: #34, 93Long Georgia guard/wing with slashing, defensive, and multi-position potential. Status: current top six is Arizona State, Georgia Tech, Missouri, Rutgers, Texas A&M, and Virginia; Tennessee is not included.
Maci Pringle; Flower Mound — Flower Mound, TX; PF/W6-1ESPN/SCNext: #58; Prep Girls Hoops: #69; Rivals Industry/247: not listedLong, athletic forward/wing with rebounding, defensive activity, and an improving perimeter game. Tennessee offer publicly reported May 24, 2026; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.

Practical read: The clearest active Tennessee-positive cases are Kaleena Smith, C'India "CeCe" Dennis, Qandace Samuels, Avery Arije, and Taylor Brown. Bradley, Long, Ayers, Savoury, Williams, Mobley, Jackson, Chastain, and Acree are gray because a commitment or current cut excludes Tennessee. The remaining plain rows are still offer/watch-list names, but I found no current Tennessee finalist placement or visit date.
I always salivate when I see RetroVol has posted something large and detailed to be poured over.

Dang! That sentence made me suddenly crave a large debris po'boy (shredded roast beef in au jus, poured over french bread) from Mother's in N'Orleans.
 
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2027s with announced offers: (*offer or reoffer by Kim posted) ESPN ranking

49 Kie'Aundria Acree* not top 6
17 Avery Arije*
6 Haylen Ayers* not top 5
3 Caroline Bradley* not top 10 to LSU
22 Taylor Brown*
12 Ryan Carter*
44 Finley Chastain To Oklahoma
48 C'India Dennis*
30 Jada Jackson* to TX Tech
18 Zaniya Johnson* not top 12
5 Eve Long* not top 5 to Notre Dame
35 Amaya Manuel*
2 Ivanna Manyacka*
41 De'Andra Minor*
29 Sydney Mobley* not top 12 to Ohio State
7 Micah Ojo*
9 Jordyn Palmer*
58 Maci Pringle
11 Qandace Samuels*
8 Sydney Savoury* not top 6
1 Kaleena Smith*
37 Jordan Speller*
14 Nation Williams not top 10
 
Revised per last post from @mcannin1:

Complete table with all earlier revisions preserved and Zaniya Johnson moved to gray:

2027 Recruiting Targets — Tennessee Watch List

Key: * = Tennessee offer or reoffer publicly posted by Kim Caldwell, as reflected in the tracker. Entire bold row = Tennessee is in a current named group or has a confirmed Tennessee visit. Gray row = a current public cut or commitment excludes Tennessee. Plain row = Tennessee offer/interest is reported, but I did not find a current finalist list or Tennessee visit date.

Player / School / Hometown / PosHtRatings / RankingsQuick Read / Tennessee Status
Kaleena Smith*; Ontario Christian — Ontario, CA; hometown: Perris, CA; PG5-5 / 5-6ESPN/SCNext: #1; Rivals Industry: #1, 5-star, 99.50; 247: #1, 99Elite lead guard with deep range, advanced creation, and command of the offense. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted. Visits: unofficial visit Oct. 13, 2025; Tennessee official visit scheduled for Sept. 25, 2026.
Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka*; Bullis School — Potomac, MD; SF/W6-1 / 6-2ESPN/SCNext: #2; Rivals Industry: #2, 5-star, 99.22; 247: #2, 98Powerful two-way wing with length, rebounding value, and strong finishing ability. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.
Caroline Bradley*; Oak Grove — Oak Grove, LA; C6-4 / 6-5ESPN/SCNext: #3; Rivals Industry: #6, 5-star, 98.39; 247: #7, 96True center with high-level post scoring, rebounding, and rim protection. Status: committed to LSU. Tennessee is out unless the recruitment changes.
Eve Long*; Olathe South — Olathe, KS; PF/C6-3ESPN/SCNext: #5; Rivals Industry: #8, 5-star, 98.26; 247: #8, 96Mobile, highly productive scoring forward with USA Basketball experience. Status: committed to Notre Dame. Tennessee is out unless the recruitment changes.
Haylen Ayers*; University School of Jackson — Jackson, TN; SG/W6-0ESPN/SCNext: #6; Rivals Industry: #3, 5-star, 99.14; 247: #3, 98In-state elite guard with size, strength, and three-level scoring ability. Status: top five is Duke, Kentucky, Texas, Vanderbilt, and UConn; Tennessee is not included.
Micah Ojo*; Princess Anne — Virginia Beach, VA; SF/W6-0 / 6-1ESPN/SCNext: #7; Rivals Industry: #7, 5-star, 98.30; 247: #9, 96Explosive wing athlete with transition, defensive, and slashing upside. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.
Sydney Savoury*; Belleville — Belleville, MI; SG5-11 / 6-0ESPN/SCNext: #8; Rivals Industry: #11, 5-star, 98.14; 247: #5, 97Big scoring guard with strong production and positional size. Status: current final six is Duke, North Carolina, UCLA, UConn, Notre Dame, and Texas; Tennessee is not included.
Jordyn Palmer*; Westtown School — West Chester/Oxford, PA; SF/W6-1 / 6-3ESPN/SCNext: #9; Rivals Industry: #5, 5-star, 98.60; 247: #6, 97Long, skilled wing with major national and USA Basketball credentials. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.
Qandace Samuels*; Bishop McNamara — District Heights, MD; SF/W6-1 / 6-2ESPN/SCNext: #11; Rivals Industry: #15, 5-star, 97.25; 247: #13, 95Big wing scorer with shooting touch and the strength to play through contact. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted. Tennessee is in her current top 10 with Alabama, LSU, North Carolina, NC State, Rutgers, Texas, Vanderbilt, Virginia, and Virginia Tech.
Ryan Carter*; Friends' Central — Wynnewood, PA; CG/SG5-10 / 6-0ESPN/SCNext: #12; Rivals Industry: #9, 5-star, 98.20; 247: #10, 96Athletic combo guard who can create, defend, and play on or off the ball. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.
Nation Williams; Lone Peak — Highland, UT; hometown: Las Vegas, NV; F/C6-2 / 6-4ESPN/SCNext: #14; Rivals Industry: #10, 5-star, 98.17; 247: #11, 96Physical, productive frontcourt player with rebounding and defensive versatility. Status: final five is Duke, Iowa, North Carolina, Notre Dame, and UCLA; Tennessee is not included.
Avery Arije*; Crestwood Prep — Toronto, Ontario; SG5-11 / 6-0ESPN/SCNext: #17; Rivals Industry: #14, 5-star, 97.47; 247: #14, 95Left-handed guard with downhill ability, shooting touch, and defensive athleticism. Her May 9, 2026 “Top 6 Interest” graphic included Tennessee with UCLA, South Carolina, UConn, Texas, and USC. This was not a finalist cut; no Tennessee visit date has been publicly confirmed.
Zaniya Johnson*; Biloxi — Biloxi, MS; PF/C6-4ESPN/SCNext: #18; Rivals Industry: #38, 5-star, 91.63; 247: #22, 95Long frontcourt prospect with rebounding, interior scoring, and shot-blocking potential. Status: her current top 12 excludes Tennessee.
Taylor Brown*; Long Island Lutheran — Glen Head, NY; hometown: Belmar, NJ; PG5-6 / 5-7ESPN/SCNext: #22; Rivals Industry: #21, 5-star, 96.86; 247: #24, 95Fast, disruptive point guard with strong defensive pressure and playmaking ability. Tennessee was reported as her first official visit, scheduled to begin June 25, 2026. Long Island Lutheran reported that a February 2026 injury ended her season and that she was progressing toward a return.
Sydney Mobley*; Big Walnut — Sunbury/Delaware, OH; PF/C6-1 / 6-2ESPN/SCNext: #29; Rivals Industry: #16, 5-star, 97.21; 247: #23, 95Productive Ohio forward with scoring, rebounding, and all-around versatility. Status: committed to Ohio State. Tennessee is out unless the recruitment changes.
Jada Jackson*; Frenship — Wolfforth/Lubbock, TX; PF/C6-2ESPN/SCNext: #30; Rivals Industry: #44, 5-star, 91.14; 247: #21, 95Physical Texas forward with major rebounding and double-double production. Status: committed to Texas Tech.
Amaya Manuel*; Lift for Life Academy — St. Louis, MO; club: Phee Elite; PG5-7 / 5-8ESPN/SCNext: #35, 94 grade; Prep Girls Hoops: #31; Rivals Industry/247: not listedScoring point guard who has led a state-championship team and can pressure defenses off the bounce or from three. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.
Jordan Speller*; Montverde Academy — Montverde, FL; hometown: Bethel, NC; PG5-6 / 5-7ESPN/SCNext: #37; Rivals Industry: #29, 5-star, 96.52; 247: #30, 95Quick left-handed point guard with downhill speed, creativity, and defensive pressure. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.
De'Andra Minor*; Grind Prep — Oklahoma City, OK; SG/CG6-0 / 6-1ESPN/SCNext: #41; Rivals Industry: #17, 5-star, 96.97; 247: #15, 95Physical combo guard with a strong frame and downhill attacking game. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.
Finley Chastain; Walnut Grove — Prosper/Dallas, TX; PG/SG6-0 / 6-1ESPN/SCNext: #44; Rivals Industry: #34, 5-star, 95.32; 247: #37, 93Big left-handed guard with shooting and playmaking value. Status: committed to Oklahoma.
C'India "CeCe" Dennis*; Creekside — Fairburn, GA; PG5-4 / 5-6ESPN/SCNext: #48; Rivals Industry: #50, 5-star, 85.49; 247: #17, 95Quick, productive scoring point guard. Tennessee offer/reoffer posted. Tennessee is in her final five with Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, and Georgia. Tennessee official visit: Sept. 4–6, 2026.
Kie'Aundria Acree*; Monroe — Albany, GA; SF/CG6-0ESPN/SCNext: #49; Rivals Industry: #26, 5-star, 96.62; 247: #34, 93Long Georgia guard/wing with slashing, defensive, and multi-position potential. Status: current top six is Arizona State, Georgia Tech, Missouri, Rutgers, Texas A&M, and Virginia; Tennessee is not included.
Maci Pringle; Flower Mound — Flower Mound, TX; PF/W6-1ESPN/SCNext: #58; Prep Girls Hoops: #69; Rivals Industry/247: not listedLong, athletic forward/wing with rebounding, defensive activity, and an improving perimeter game. Tennessee offer publicly reported May 24, 2026; no current Tennessee finalist list or visit date found.

Practical read: The clearest active Tennessee-positive cases are Kaleena Smith, C'India "CeCe" Dennis, Qandace Samuels, Avery Arije, and Taylor Brown. Bradley, Long, Ayers, Savoury, Williams, Johnson, Mobley, Jackson, Chastain, and Acree are gray because a commitment or current cut excludes Tennessee. The remaining plain rows are still offer/watch-list names, but I found no current Tennessee finalist placement or visit date.
 
Amazing how quickly high school recruiting has lost some of its significance! Kim has said 1 or 2 recruits. They will have to look like very good fits in every way. Highly likely to be 5-year contributor with all the right intangibles. Otherwise, wait for the portal and talk to players who have both down what they can do and figure it what they wanted.
 
Amazing how quickly high school recruiting has lost some of its significance! Kim has said 1 or 2 recruits. They will have to look like very good fits in every way. Highly likely to be 5-year contributor with all the right intangibles. Otherwise, wait for the portal and talk to players who have both down what they can do and figure it what they wanted.
Give me a team full of experienced transfers over a group of 5* Freshman any day. Ask Kentucky and Duke how many NCAA Championship they've won in last 10 years stacking up #1 recruiting classes.
 
Give me a team full of experienced transfers over a group of 5* Freshman any day. Ask Kentucky and Duke how many NCAA Championship they've won in last 10 years stacking up #1 recruiting classes.
There is a difference with the men vs women in that many 5-star male players go to the pros after one or two years, while most women stay in college. The true teams to look at are the women teams that get the most 5-star players such as SC, UCONN, and more recently, LSU and UCLA. In other words, all the most recent national champions.
 
There is a difference with the men vs women in that many 5-star male players go to the pros after one or two years, while most women stay in college. The true teams to look at are the women teams that get the most 5-star players such as SC, UCONN, and more recently, LSU and UCLA. In other words, all the most recent national champions.
The Women will be leaving early as soon as they get the green light from the WNBA... It's coming, some of these women shouldn't stay in college 4 years when their earning potential is greater in WNBA.
 
There is a difference with the men vs women in that many 5-star male players go to the pros after one or two years, while most women stay in college. The true teams to look at are the women teams that get the most 5-star players such as SC, UCONN, and more recently, LSU and UCLA. In other words, all the most recent national champions.
It will be interesting to see if a few teams can continue to stack the very top players under the new pay-for-play regime. Five years of college now represents a significant stretch of earning potential for these young women. It may well be more financially rewarding to be the clear number one at a school that has not been a perennial national contender than one of several at the schools you mentioned.
 
Give me a team full of experienced transfers over a group of 5* Freshman any day. Ask Kentucky and Duke how many NCAA Championship they've won in last 10 years stacking up #1 recruiting classes.
With the five year becoming law maybe soon. I know the NCAA has passed it, but Congress can eliminate the challenges by passing the bill. If that all gets settled transfers are going to be the way to go. Cause they use up their one free transfer where all freshmen will still have one. Very few will want to sit out an entire season to play somewhere else.
 
There is a difference with the men vs women in that many 5-star male players go to the pros after one or two years, while most women stay in college. The true teams to look at are the women teams that get the most 5-star players such as SC, UCONN, and more recently, LSU and UCLA. In other words, all the most recent national champions.
It will be interesting to see if a few teams can continue to stack the very top players under the new pay-for-play regime. Five years of college now represents a significant stretch of earning potential for these young women. It may well be more financially rewarding to be the clear number one at a school that has not been a perennial national contender than one of several at the schools you mentioned.
I think it's the rapidly changing place of higher education in our economy that is driving these changing career decisions, and diminishing the traditional differences in how male and female athletes value a college degree.

If correct, then the biggest factors would be 1) how the methods for pursuing a college degree have changed (online classes from anywhere, any time), 2) how the relationship between career and a college degree has changed (more companies today would rather train their employees in-house to their current standards), and 3) how the pace of change in the marketplace along with AI replacing schools as the prime resource for up-to-date knowledge... are together diminishing the need for a 4-year college education in all but a few careers.

And if it holds true that entrepreneurship will be the predominant "career" in the future, then entering adulthood with a fistful of startup capital would be the best possible scenario for achieving success.

On a positive note, this will greatly increase the need for early maturity, ridding us of the post-WW2 "need" for extending adolescence to delay the boomers' entry into the workforce. Who knows... someday we may look back on colleges as a gov't op!
 
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There is a difference with the men vs women in that many 5-star male players go to the pros after one or two years, while most women stay in college. The true teams to look at are the women teams that get the most 5-star players such as SC, UCONN, and more recently, LSU and UCLA. In other words, all the most recent national champions.
This☝️. Smith could certainly change the perception of TN by elite kids as well as improve the on court results. Players below top 10 are less likely to be difference makers especially early on. Anyone know why we aren’t in on Ayers, the TN player we offered?
 

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