2025-26-27 Recruiting Report: as of Oct. 7, 2024

Early Fall Greetings, Benchers:

Welcome to the 2024 fall edition of the 2025-26-27 ND Women’s Basketball Recruiting Update, which concentrates on the Irish class that will suit up in Fall 2025. It will also take a look at prospects/interactions with those in the Class of 2026, as well as a few 2027 interactions.

Official Visits (OV's) for the current junior HS class (which graduates in Spring 2025) began the week following the NCAA Championship Game and are probably wrapping up, with the Early Signing Period rapidly approaching in November.

From Oct. 1 through Feb 28, Women's College Basketball is in an "Evaluation Period" (save for Dec. 24-26, which is a "dead" period.). During an Evaluation Period, "...it is permissible for authorized athletics department staff members to be involved in off-campus activities designed to assess the academic qualifications and athletic ability of prospective student-athletes. No in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts shall be made with the prospective student-athlete during an evaluation period." Prospective student-athletes can visit campuses, which is what ND fans hope for during Stanford and the Florida State games, the last two home football games before the Early Signing Period.

PERSONNEL OVERVIEW
(Chart by BabaGhanouj)

Let's examine the current recruiting state-of-play, position by position.

FORWARDS/POSTS

Context
- There are question marks at the post/forward positions in 2024-25. With Nat Marshall now at Miami and Kylie Watson having ACL surgery and rehabbing, Maddy Westbeld and Kate Koval -- joined by transfers Liza Karlen and Kiatu King-- are the front-court players for this season.
Since Westbeld, King and Karlen all only have one year left, the front court will have to be augmented by high school recruits and/or transfers in 2025. Coach Ivey got off to a great start by getting the commitment of forward Leah Macy to join post Kate Koval in 2025, but more front-court players are needed.

So these are positions that will have a strong focus by the ND coaching staff.

Class of 2025

- Leah Macy (HG #16, PN #11, ASGR #33), 6'3" forward who played for Mercy Academy HS and KY Premier in AAU (same as Zakiyah Johnson) before transferring to Bethlehem HS and West Virginia AAU. She also used to play for Elizabethtown HS, same as Erin Boley. Sturdy, efficient forward who is very strong with either hand going to the hoop. Good pull-up jumpers in the lane. Attended ND vs. UConn game in Dec. 2022 and took unofficial visit to campus in 2023, replete with self-released pictures. Came back in September for Tenn. State game. Very strong mutual interest. As of May 6, MACY COMMITTED TO NOTRE DAME. Made U.S.A. International Team that will play in Summer 2024 and is (assistant) coached by ND's Coach Ivey.
- Madison Francis (HG #33, PN #21, ASGR #5) 6'2" forward (wing) who plays for Lancaster Central in western New York State. An All-Western New York first team large schools selection, she averaged 22 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 4 steals and 3.2 blocks this season, along with scoring her 1,000th career point. Offered by ND in late June '23. Maryland, Miami, Syracuse have also offered, among others. Also made U.S.A. International Team, so she and Coach Ivey had an opportunity to spend time together.

Class of 2025 Forward Prospects Going Elsewhere:

- Sienna Betts (HG #2, PN #3, #4 ASGR), Grandview HS/Hardwood Heat AAU, Aurora, Colorado. Smaller, younger sister of UCLA center Lauren Betts. Nonetheless, she is a 6'3" forward who offers height and athletic ability. Named ND one of 11 schools she's considering. On Nov. 11, 2023, COMMITTED TO UCLA and will join older sister there.
- Agot Makeer (Hoopgurlz #4, Prospects Nation #7, ASGR #9), Crestwood Secondary & Kia Nurse AAU. A 6'1" wing who is very athletic and is rising in the charts. In late June, named her Top 12, which included ND and most of usual suspects On Aug. 5th, she announced her final six:
Duke; South Carolina; Michigan State; UNC; Kentucky; and, UConn. No ND.
- Grace Knox (Hoopgurlz #6, Prospects Nation #15, ASGR #10), Etiwanda H.S. in California. Had been at Centennial HS in Las Vegas, Nevada. 6'1" wing/forward to does most of her damage inside (at least, thus far). ND was one of some 20 schools to have made an offer. Knox listed 4 finalists: LSU, Tennessee, Texas & USC.
- Zhen Craft (HG #62, PN #16, ASGR #23), 6'2" wing/forward from Bishop McNamara H.S. in Maryland. Rangy, athletic forward who listed ND as one of 12 schools she's considering, including other ACC programs UVA, FSU, NC State and Miami and SEC teams. In mid-July announced finalists and ND not among. them. Commits to GEORGIA.
- Kira Reynolds (HG NR, PN #52, #11 ASGR), South Bend Washington, Indiana. The 6'3" sophomore — and younger sister of Mila and Amiyah Reynolds who both play at Purdue. On Oct. 12, 2023, announced commitment to PURDUE, joining her two older sisters.

Class of 2026

- Olivia Vukosa, (HG #5, #3 #6 in PN, #3 in ASGR)(Mentioned in Hoopgurlz 2026 Summary, a "Blue Star 30" member) 6'4" Post who plays for Christ The King High School and Philly Rise AAU. The "Big O" has an ND offer (April 2023), as well as offers to play from virtually every major program in the country. ND has good affiliations with both the Philly Rise (formerly the Belles). As of Sept. 6, ND is on Big O's Final 16, along with usual suspects.
- McKenna Woliczko (#6 HG, #5 Prospects Nation, #12 ASGR) 6'2" wing/forward from Archbishop Mitty, who was named to all-Tournament Team at the recent U-16 Americas Tournament in Mexico. Very versatile, athletic player who probably played more as a forward for the U.S., much like Sonia Citron has. ND offered her in late June 2023 and family (dad) appears to be an Irish fan. Made U.S.A. U-17 Nat'l. Team in Summer 2024. Coach Owens went to an Archbishop Mitty open gym Oct. 1st, 2024.
- Oliviyah Edwards (#4 HG, #4 PN, #5 ASGR) 6'3" forward from Tacoma, Elite Sports Academy and NW Greyhounds who named ND one her 10 finalists as of June 1, 2024. Until then, no known knowledge of interest, sole or mutual.
ASGR: "Superior athlete explosive leaper college body runs R/R, scores R, shoot's 3" Will keep track of another "Big Oh," but she sure sounds like a Liatu King or Alyssa Latham who can be an athletic force in the paint...and shoot from distance. Coach Owens attended an open gym session of hers in October '24.

Class of 2027

- Caroline Bradley (#5 HG, #8 ASGR), a 6'5" center from Oak Grove HS in Louisiana (about 115 miles from Jackson, MS), who was offered in mid-August 2024. Played in Under Armour Next Elite 24, an invitational in Brookyn for top players in classes of 2025, '26 and '27.

- Nation Williams (#11 Hoopgurlz, NR ASGR), a 6'2" forward from Centennial H.S. in Las Vegas, Nevada. Received offer from ND in Summer 2024.

- Jayla Forbes (#13 Hoopgurlz, NR ASGR, a 6'6" center from Thompson H.S. in Alabama, who took an unofficial visit to ND in July and received an offer.

GUARD/WING

The 2024-25 season will be Sonia Citron's senior season, so there would be a strong need to find tall guards/wings to join KK Bransford, Emma Risch and Cass Prosper.

Class of 2025

- ZaKiyah Johnson (#12 HG, PN #4, ASGR #7), a 6'0" guard for Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville, KY. Has played with Leah Macy at the AAU level. Named Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year after her freshman year, in which she averaged 17.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.2 assists per game and 1.9 steals per game. Received an offer from ND in May 2022 and looked forward to "learning more about" ND. In early July 204, named ND as one of 6 schools in which she was still interested, including S. Carolina, S. California, LSU, Louisville and Kentucky. Also was on u-18 U.S.A. International Team, so she got time to spend with Coach Ivey and ND commit Leah Macy.
(Followed on Twitter by NI, MM)
- Deniya Prawl (HG #13, PN #10, ASGR #31), 5'11" guard from Toronto now at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., who has played in the Canadian National program. Getting solid reviews from followers of Canadian HS/AAU. Attended Jan. 1 BC game at South Bend. In early August '24 named ND as one of her 8 finalists. Prawl took an official visit to Notre Dame Sept. 27-28 during Louisville football weekend.

Class of 2025 Guards Going Elsewhere

- Aaliyah Crump (HG #5, PN #12, ASGR #8), a 6'1" guard from Minnetonka, MN, has taken unofficial visits to Notre Dame in Oct. '22 and January 2024 (UNC game).Solid indication of any mutual interest between guard and Irish. Announced finalists in early July -- Duke, Texas, Ohio St. -- and chose TEXAS.
- Darianna "Dee" Alexander (HG #8, PN #13, ASGR #6), a 6'0" guard who plays for Purcell Marian H.S. in Cincinnati, Ohio and the West Virginia Thunder in AAU Ball. She's coached by former ND player Mychal Johnson's dad in AAU. Received an offer from ND in July 2022. Named ND one of 15 finalists around Thanksgiving 2023 but didn't make final three (Cincinnati, Illinois, Ohio State) in April. On 4/17, Committed to Cincinnati.
- Aniya Foy, (#45 HG, PN #41, #39 ASGR) a 5'11" guard from Cinco Ranch, Texas who plays AAU Ball for the Houston Defenders. In late August 2023, Raoul listed her as an ND target. Committed to Kansas State University.
- Adelaide Jernigan, (HG #64, PN #46, ASGR #36) 5'10" guard who plays for Bishop McGuinness HS Lady Raiders and Winston-Salem Stealers AAU Team. Lefty who leads team in scoring as a freshman. Coach Michaela Mabrey observed a practice during Irish trip to Wake Forest. Jernigan announced her finalists and ND not among them. Did not appear to be any mutual interest. Commits to NORTH CAROLINA STATE.

Class of 2026

- Saniyah Hall (#1 in Hoopgurlz, #1 in Prospects Nation, #2 ASGR) is a five-star, 6'1" guard, who plays for Laurel High School in Ohio and Legends P24. Has an offer from Notre Dame, as well as UConn, Southern Cal and Baylor, among other schools.
- Jacy Abii (#7 in Hoopgurlz, #4 in ASGR), a 6'1" guard from Plano, Texas who attends Liberty High School. Made and played for U.S.A. U-16 Team in recent Americas Tournament in Mexico, averaging 8.3 ppg, 5 rpg and 3.2 apg in 17 minutes per game. Tall, rangy build who appears to use all three aspects of of offensive game (driving, mid-range and long-range). ND offered in late June '23. Made U.S.A. U-17 Nat'l. Team in Summer 2024.
- Brihanna Crittendon (HG #8, PN #8, ASGR #11), a 6'2" wing from Riverdale HS, CO, and Colorado Lockdown AAU, who was offered on July 26, 2024.
- Addison Bjorn (#10 in Hoopgurlz, #13 in PN, #16 in ASGR), a 6'2" guard/wing from Park Hiil South in Missouri, just outside of Kansas City. Played on U.S.A. U-16 Team in Mexico. Publicized offer from ND in late June. Took unofficial visit to ND and posted in Winter 2024. UConn also expressing strong interest, offer. Made U.S.A. U-17 Nat'l. Team in Summer 2024. M. Mabrey visited Bjorn's HS informal shoot-around in early Sept. 2024.
- Savvy Swords (#13 HG, #14 PN, #25 for ASGR), 6'2" wing from Canada who plays for Lutheran High School in Long Island, NY, as well as the Kia Nurse AAU program. Played alongside her sister Syla (now at Michigan) and Post Kate Koval (now at Notre Dame). Was offered by NY in 2023 and took unofficial visit to ND in mid-Sept. 2024.
- Isabella "Bella" Ragone (#28 HG, #26 in ASGR), a 6'2" wing from Mill Creek H.S. in Georgia who announced she received an offer from ND in mid-September.
-- Amari Byles (#17 Hoopgurlz, #10 PN, #7 ASGR). 6'2" wing from DeSoto, TX, who was given an offer by Niele Ivey. Smooth wing/tall guard who is adept at driving and has good form on her jumper.
- Jenica Raine (Lewis). (#15 Hoopgurlz, #21 PN, #18 ASGR). 5'10" combo guard who plays for Johnston HS in Iowa and All Iowa Attack. Offered by ND in July 2023 and mentions Coach(es) Ivey and Mabrey.
- Sanai Green (Hoopgurlz #27, Prospects Nation #16, ASGR #15), a 6'1" wing from The Steward School in Virginia, who plays club ball for Elevate Elite. Asst. Coach Charel Allen saw her during a Steward School shoot-around in mid-September. Interestingly, she's now transferred to LuHi, Kate Koval's alma mater, where Savvy Swords also plays. She has an offer from ND.

Class of 2027

- Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka (Hoopgurlz #2, NR ASGR), a 6'2" guard from The Bullis School in Maryland, who received an offer from ND in Feb. 2024.

- Jordyn Palmer (#4 in Hoopgurlz, #5 ASGR), a 6'1" wing from Westtown, Pa., and the Philly Rise. Received offer from ND in Summer 2024 and Irish coaches attended Westtown HS shoot-around in Sept. '24.

POINT GUARDS
Context:

In the fall of 2025, ND could have two point guards, Olivia Miles and Hannah Hidalgo, so this doesn't appear to be a position of need. However, Olivia may choose not to exercise her medical hardship year and make herself available for the draft. If that is the case, it would be a need. Here are two prospects.

Class of 2025

Prospect Who Decided to Go Elsewhere:

- Emilee Skinner (#7 HG, #6 PN, #28 ASGR) 6'0" PG from Millville, Utah, who plays for Ridgeline High School and Utah Lady Prospects AAU. Rose to attention starting in late(r) Spring AAU tournaments in 2023,as noted in ESPNw article. ND is among more than a dozen schools offering, from Utah and Harvard to UCLA, Southern Cal, Louisville and North Carolina. Smooth operator who keeps head up and accelerates smoothly.
Made U.S.A. U-17 Nat'l. Team in Summer 2024. Named ND in her top 5 in mid-September 2024 but decided to COMMIT TO DUKE in early October.

Point-Guard Prospects Who Will Be Going Elsewhere:

- Janiyah Williams (#51 HG, #34 PN, #51 ASGR) 5'7" PG from Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Edmond Memorial H.S. (Followed on Twitter by Charel Allen) Committed to Oregon.

Class of 2026

- Kate Harpering (#2 HG, #2 PN, 14 ASGR), 5'10" point guard from Marish High School and Southeast All Stars in Atlanta, Ga., who received an offer from Coach Ivey in mid-July. High-scoring PG who led her HS team to a state title is the daughter of former NBA player Matt Harpring. Hard-nosed guard who can score, pass and rebound. Harpring took an unofficial visit to Notre Dame on Sept. 27-28 during Louisville football weekend.
- Autumn Fleary (#14 HG, #17 PN, #13 ASGR), a 5'7" point guard from Maryland who attends Sidwell Friends in Washington, D.C. and plays club ball for Team Takeover EYBC. Was offered by Coach Ivey in early September 2024 and visited Notre Dame for an unofficial visit with her mother.

Class of 2027

- Kaleena Smith (#1 Hoopgurlz), Ontario Christian H.S. in California. Received offer from ND in Summer 2024.

Regarding This Information

As most Benchers know:
- We rely on input from Benchers, publications, blogs and outside information; even posters from other sites. We try to verify claims, so it does not become a rumor board
- We include up-to-date ratings of Hoopgurlz, ASGR & Prospects Nation. These ratings are not the defining input on a prospect by any means, but can offer context relative to other prospects if a reader is not familiar with that player’s game.
- Same goes for recent developments and heights. We tend to use national team listings and/or informed local descriptions.
- Please take in posts/insights/links/research by Baba Ghanouj, Fighting Artichoke, MPG, Domerduck, RI Steve, Cbiebel, NDoggie78, No Right Turn on Red, JBC_MO and others who scour the internet for more information/tape. Any and all information is appreciated.

- ND Hoops Recruits
@NDHoopsRecruits

Lastly, here are some recruiting sites that have prospect reviews and/or ratings. These are all free, so use these addresses to bookmark 'em. Thanks to Baba:

https://www.bluestarbb.com
https://prospectsnation.com
https://asgrbasketball.com/?v=f24485ae434a#
https://www.prepgirlshoops.com/2022-rankings/
https://jrallstar.com/rankings/?filter=National,2022