The five-star recruits in the girls’ SC Next class of 2027 started early with their commitments, before the nets were even cut down at the 2026 NCAA tournament. Caroline Bradley kicked things off in early April, announcing her decision to play for Kim Mulkey at LSU. After Lauren Hassell chose Vanderbilt at the end of May, however, things slowed down — until now. National semifinalist Texas received its first commitment of the 2027 class in mid-July, from Jayla Forbes.
Expect commitments to begin ramping up as they move through the shoe circuits and live evaluation periods of the summer. But these top-tier players still have an additional season of high school play to go before we’ll see them on a college court. Much will happen between now and the 2027-28 season, when they’ll arrive on campuses across the country — but we can still project how they’ll fit within their chosen teams. What else is shaping these programs’ recruiting classes, and what might complement their rosters? We try to answer all these questions here.
Bookmark this page, as we will update this list and add key analysis every time a five-star recruit announces a commitment.
Players are ordered by rank below. Jump to the most recent commitment here.
See the SC Next class of 2027 rankings here
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 a front line of post Kate Koval and 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.
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.
2027 SCNext 60 ranking: 10
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.
2027 SCNext 100 ranking: 13
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.
2027 SC Next 60 ranking: 15
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.
