National signing day: Ranking the top 25 women’s basketball recruiting classes
National signing day is a celebration for players, families, high school and club programs, and for the college programs signing these players to national letters of intent. It represents dreams realized and is a sneak peek into the future of college basketball.
Currently, 92 players in the 2023 espnW 100 have committed and/or signed.
The final order of the class rankings will be dependent on the decisions that will occur over the next few days. Eight top-100 prospects have yet to announce their commitments, but have narrowed their lists:
No. 1 Judea Watkins (G): USC, Stanford, Arizona, South Carolina
No. 5 Hannah Hidalgo (PG): Notre Dame, Duke, Stanford, Michigan, Ohio State
No. 13 Milaysia Fulwiley (PG): Florida, Ole Miss, Louisville, South Carolina
No. 16 Cassandre Prosper (F): Notre Dame, Duke, South Carolina, Arizona, North Carolina
No. 19 Laila Reynolds (G): Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State, UCLA
No. 27 Oluchi Okananwa (G): Duke, Harvard, TCU, Rutgers, Michigan
No. 51 Sole Williams (PG): Texas A&M (official visit after decommitting from Louisville)
No. 54 Quanirah Cherry-Montague (F/P): Ohio State, Mississippi State
Which schools will move up and down during the early signing period? We break down the top 25 recruiting classes this cycle.
Highest-ranked commit: G Mikaylah Williams (No. 2)
Previous ranking: 6
Kim Mulkey had the No. 17 recruiting class for the 2022 class and then added impact transfers in the offseason. She has followed that up with another impactful 2023 class, led by superstar Mikaylah Williams. Williams has won gold medals in both 3×3 and the FIBA U17 World Cup. She is a physical guard who is arguably the best one-on-one isolation player in the class. The addition of No. 7 Aalyah Del Rosario pushed LSU to the top spot. Del Rosario is the top true post in the class. She has soft hands and a nice touch out to the top of the key. She is a physical presence inside and passes very well out of the double team. Her club teammate and No. 44 Angelica Velez is a shifty point guard with an East Coast flair to her game. She sets the table for others and runs the show. No. 73 Janae Kent is a wing/forward with nice mid-range game and the ability to knock down the 3-point shot. She gets on the glass well.
Highest-ranked commit: F Montaya Dew (No. 8)
Previous ranking: 1
Adia Barnes has leveraged her quick success, including an NCAA championship game appearance and four straight 20-win seasons, onto the recruiting trail. Barnes has already landed three McDonald’s All-Americans in her tenure and is bound to have multiple once more. Montaya Dew is a versatile, long and springy forward who can do everything. She can facilitate the offense as a point forward, knock down the 3-ball and play out of the ball screen. No. 14 Breya Cunningham separated herself as one of the dominant post players in the country early in her high school career. She has a strong base and a soft touch and brings USA Basketball experience with her to Tucson. No. 21 Jada Williams is no stranger to the big stage as she has multiple USA Basketball gold medals and is what many consider to be a pioneer in this NIL age. She is a true PG that sets the table for her teammates, leads by playing example and verbal encouragement, and keeps defenses honest with her ability to knock down shots.
Highest-ranked commit: PG Kamorea Arnold (No. 6)
Previous ranking: 2
Another year, another top recruiting class for Geno Auriemma and UConn. PG Kamorea Arnold is one of the toughest competitors in the country. She is quick and physical to the rim, plays relentless defensively and can knock down shots off the dribble out to the 3-point line. No. 15 Ashlynn Shade is a mid-range master whose leadership intangibles don’t show up on the stat sheet. The 5-foot-9 guard elevates beautifully on her jumper and has increased her consistency beyond the arc. No. 41 Qadence Samuels is a long wing/forward who has some of the highest potential in the class. At 6-2, she is bounce and long, specializes in running the floor and can be a lock-down defender.
Highest-ranked commit: W Courtney Ogden (No. 10)
Previous ranking: 3
Stanford’s recruiting means the Cardinal will not slow down after last year’s Final Four run. Courtney Ogden is a versatile 5-11 guard who has proven to be able to be effective in multiple positions during her high school career. She has filled various needs with her successful FBC club, sometimes leading the offense and sometimes filling the 4 spot against the zone to aid with floor spacing. No. 37 Sunaja Agara is coming off a summer with USA Basketball in which she also was part of the gold medal-winning U17 World Cup squad. She is a lefty forward who is a good passer and relentless rebounder with a fundamental face-up game. No. 39 Chloe Clardy is a scoring combo-guard who has a brilliant pull-up jumper and can also knock down the 3-ball.
Highest-ranked commit: G Zoe Brooks (No. 9)
Previous ranking: 4
Coach Wes Moore bolstered his roster with several impact transfers, and the 2023 recruiting class will complement that talent well. Zoe Brooks is a scoring machine who knows how to put the ball in the hole. An incredible finisher and creative shot-maker, the 5-10 Brooks has worked herself into great physical shape as she prepares for the next level. No. 55 Mallory Collier is a traditional back-to-the-basket post player with good hands and footwork. She is good on the offensive glass and has some upside. No. 56 Laci Steele is the ultimate glue player on the perimeter. She is a gritty shot-maker and proved over the summer that she is not afraid of the big moment. No. 71 Maddie Cox is a skilled forward who can stretch the floor and fill several holes with her versatility and glue-player effect.
Highest-ranked commit: W/F Chloe Kitts (No. 17)
Previous ranking: 9
National champion South Carolina and coach Dawn Staley seem primed for another top-10 class after finishing first in 2021 and sixth in 2022. The Gamecocks landed two recruits in October and their latest, Kitts, the first week of November. Kitts is a lengthy wing with a versatile game. Her rebounding ability, as well as her touch in the mid-range, make her a matchup problem. She handles the ball very well and is able to create for herself and others off the dribble. With a lethal pull-up jumper, crafty finishing skills and a knock-down shot from deep, No. 25 Tessa Johnson is a smooth guard who can score from all levels. She is incredibly poised and does not allow the opponent to speed her up. No. 40 Sahnya Jah is an active forward with immense potential. She uses her length and agility to get to rebounds and block shots. She is good in the face-up game from the trail position, as well as the high- and mid-post areas.
Highest-ranked commit: G Jadyn Donovan (No. 3)
Previous ranking: unranked
Kara Lawson follows up last year’s No. 11 recruiting class with a top-10 haul in 2023. Donovan is arguably the best overall athlete in the class. She has a polished pull up jump shot and mature court vision and makes incredible plays on the glass and defensively. No. 29 Delaney Thomas is a forward with all-around game. She is comfortable with the ball away from the paint, can stretch the defense and is a very good passer.
Highest-ranked commit: P Ciera Toomey (No. 4)
Previous ranking: 5
After signing the No. 3 recruiting class in 2021, Courtney Banghart has another highly ranked class in 2023, led by the smooth Ciera Toomey, a skilled 6-3 forward from Pennsylvania. Toomey, whose knee injury will keep her sidelined for her senior season, has a sweet stroke out beyond the 3-point line, exceptional footwork in the post with a complementary turn-around jumper and is an incredible passer. No. 30 Reniya Kelly is a crafty, smart point guard who brings a veteran-like poise to the floor. She is patient and directs traffic well. No. 90 Rylee Grays is an extremely physical forward who rebounds and patrols the paint well.
Highest-ranked commit: W Riley Nelson (No. 18)
Previous ranking: 7
Brenda Frese signed a big 2022 class with four recruits — two of whom signed late due to coaching changes at their original schools — and has Maryland in the top 10 again. The 6-foot Riley Nelson leads the 2023 class. She is long and very fundamentally skilled with a strong shooting ability. She has become a quality finisher and uses her length well defensively and on the boards. No. 43 Amiyah Reynolds, who was limited during the summer with an ankle injury, is a big guard who sees the floor, has a nice pull-up jumper and plays out of ball screens well. Her older sister, Mila Reynolds, was part of Maryland’s 2022 class. No. 80 Emily Fisher is a versatile wing/forward who can fill many roles depending on the night and the need. She is tough and strong on the glass and brings that utility attitude to the floor. Three-star guard Summer Bostock is skilled and can make big shots, while four-star center Hawa Doumbouya has good hands, clogs the paint defensively and has upside.
Highest-ranked commit: W Madison Booker (No. 12)
Previous ranking: 8
Vic Schaefer signed the No. 15 and No. 4 classes in 2022 and 2021, respectively. He follows that up with what looks like will be another top-10 class in 2023. Madison Booker is a two-time USA Basketball gold medalist and quite the facilitating forward on the floor. She can create off the bounce and stretches the floor out behind the 3-point line. After leading Cedar Park (Texas) to back-to-back state 5A state championships, No. 38 Gisella Maul missed the summer with a knee injury. Still, she is a combo guard with the ability to create and score the ball. Three-star Abby Boutilier is a 6-8 paint presence and will look to further develop once she gets on campus.
Highest-ranked commit: W Addyson Brown (No. 31)
Previous ranking: 10
Coach Bill Fennelly has a big class: three players in the top 60 and five prospects in total. Addyson Brown is a utility forward who excels in the physical game and on the glass. She is a fantastic passer who makes others better and has increased her effectiveness from 3. No. 47 Jalynn Bristow, her club teammate, is a smooth forward with an automatic jumper from mid-range and proved this summer to be dangerous from the 3, especially in the trail and the corners. No. 57 Audi Crooks is a big with soft hands and a great touch. She carves out space for boards, finishes strong and outlets the ball with the best of them. The fundamental Arianna Jackson is a four-star point guard. Fellow four-star Kelsey Joens, a knock-down shooter, is the younger sister of current Cyclone Ashley Joens and current Oklahoma Sooner Aubrey Joens.
Highest-ranked commit: P Essence Cody (No. 22)
Previous ranking: 11
Kristy Curry is bringing in an impact 2023 class. Essence Cody is a physical and skilled forward who excels at finishing around the rim and the trail 3-point shot in the slot. She has gotten herself into great condition over the last year. No. 50 Reychel Douglas is one of the more complete guards in the class. She can lead the offense or be the aggressor from the wing. She is good in the pick and roll and has a nice pull-up, as well as long-range jumper. No. 87 Naomi Jones is an active big who has improved her touch around the rim. She runs the floor and impacts the game in and around the paint.
Highest-ranked commit: G Kymora Johnson (No. 24)
Previous ranking: 12
Coach Tamaka Agugua-Hamilton has already made an impression since taking over in March, landing quality transfers and a strong 2023 recruiting class. Kymora Johnson is a lead guard with long range. Her steady presence, fundamental approach, passing skills and leadership intangibles make her teammates better. No. 45 Olivia McGhee is a big guard who is a gifted scorer. She can drive for the pull-up, hit the corner 3 or punish opponents with post-up opportunities.
Highest-ranked commit: PG Sayvia Sellers (No. 28)
Previous ranking: 13
In her first full year at the helm, Tina Langley brought in the No. 14 recruiting class in 2022. This year, she has landed three top-100 commits. Sayvia Sellers is a point guard from Alaska who creates a buzz every time she ventures into the contiguous states to hoop. She is dynamic off the bounce and has a variety of finishing skills in and around the paint. She keeps defenses on their toes as she can catch fire from 3-point land. No. 46 Ari Long is one of the best shooters in the class. She makes quick decisions on the catch and excels in the open court. No. 93 Chloe Briggs is a guard with some flair to her game. Four-star Olivia Anderson is a 6-6 center with a soft touch and nice footwork in the paint.
Highest-ranked commit: G Taliah Scott (No. 11)
Previous ranking: 14
Mike Neighbors landed a recruiting class that fits his systemic approach and style very well. Taliah Scott can score in bunches, and with the spacing and pace in which Arkansas plays, she has chosen the perfect spot where she can use her creativity off the bounce and let the 3-ball fly to its fullest potential. No. 61 Jenna Lawrence is a fundamentally skilled forward who can space the floor and punish opponents from the high post and face-up mid-post areas. Three-star Maryn Archer is a spot-up shooter.
Highest-ranked commit: G Sofia Bell (No. 26)
Previous ranking: unranked
Kelly Graves and his staff follow up the No. 2 recruiting class in 2022 by going all over the country to land the 2023 class. Bell is an efficient and lengthy wing from the Northwest who can shoot it from deep. No. 42 Sammie Wagner is a forward from Texas that brings versatility and savviness to the floor. No. 66 Sarah Rambus is a post from the Midwest who has good length and mobility with touch around the paint.
Highest-ranked commit: F Carys Baker (No. 58)
Previous ranking: 15
Kenny Brooks and the staff have pieced together a class with speed, skill and size. Carys Baker is a lefty forward with a versatile game. She is strong on the glass and is a knock down 3-point shooter. No. 65 Mackenzie Nelson pushes the ball down the court with energy and urgency, looking to get to the rim and create. No. 69 Samyha Suffren is a savvy point guard who has a knack for getting to her spots for the pull-up jumper. No. 96 Clara Strack, club teammates with Baker and Nelson, is a summer stock riser. She increased her strength, especially in her base, and became more confident and aggressive on both ends of the court.
Highest-ranked commit: F Taylor Woodson (No. 59)
Previous ranking: unranked
Michigan is bringing in a fundamentally sound class led by Woodson, a strong and rugged forward from Hopkins High School (Minnesota), which has been a perennial top-five program since the Paige Bueckers era. No. 74 Macy Brown can knock down the deep 3-ball and facilitate. No. 77 Katy Eidle has a combo guard game. With a quick release and sharp handle, she shoots an easy 3-ball and can create space for her jumper while being crafty and drawing fouls.
Highest-ranked commit: G Kylie Marshall (No. 35)
Previous ranking: unranked
In her first year at the helm in College Station, Joni Taylor has secured a top-25 class. Marshall is a smooth scoring guard who puts the ball in the hole in bunches. No. 76 Erica Moon is a crafty PG who has had to battle a knee injury, but her game has matured over the last two years. which translates into quality point guard play because of her ability to set the table for others and keep defenses honest with her jumper.
Highest-ranked commit: W Jules LaMendola (No. 52)
Previous ranking: unranked
LaMendola is a versatile player who had a stock-rising summer with her Pro Skills club. She can lead an offense, be physical on the boards and get advantageous post-up touches. No. 83 Lenee Beaumont is a fundamental guard who can score from 3 or with the mid-range pull up.
Highest-ranked commit: PG Rashunda Jones (No. 79)
Previous ranking: unranked
In her second season as Purdue’s head coach, Katie Gearlds finds herself with a top-25 recruiting class. Jones is an instant-energy point guard who makes solid decisions and is a high-level defender. No. 97 Mary Ashley Groot is a fundamental forward who can stretch the defense out to the 3-point line, facilitate and has good post footwork. The Boilermakers round out the class with two skilled four-star guard commits in Emily Monson and Sophia Swanson.
Highest-ranked commit: PG Kennedy Sanders (No. 75)
Previous ranking: unranked
JR Payne tapped into the Midwest for her two top recruits in the 2023 class. Sanders is a heady point guard who makes teammates better. No. 78 Ruthie Loomis-Goltl is a physical forward who brings a ton of energy and a nice pull-up jumper. Colorado will bolster the class with two three-star guard/wings in Jadyn Atchison and Saulele Tanuvasa.
Highest-ranked commit: G Jasmine Brown (No. 54)
Previous ranking: unranked
Sam Purcell takes over at Mississippi State after years at Louisville as an assistant that saw numerous ranked recruiting classes. His staff hit the ground running in both recruiting and the transfer portal, and they find themselves with a top-25 class. Brown is creative off the bounce with a knack for creating space for the jumper or to get to the rim. No. 86 Mjracle Sheppard is a steady point guard from high school powerhouse Montverde Academy (Florida). She is good in the pick-and-roll reads and does a good job pressuring the ball defensively.
Highest-ranked commit: W/F Madisyn Jordan (No. 67)
Previous ranking: unranked
Megan Gebbia took over at Wake Forest in May and sees her recruiting efforts pay off with a top-25 caliber class. Jordan has a fundamental stroke all the way out to the 3-point line and a slashing ability to complement that. No. 85 Rylie Theuerkauf has some serious range well beyond the arc and had a stock-rising summer with Exodus (New York).
Highest-ranked commit: PG Victoria Flores (No. 81)
Previous ranking: unranked
Raegan Pebley makes a splash with a solid 2023 recruiting class. Flores is a steady PG from Duncanville High School (Texas). She keeps the game simple and fundamental, improving teammates around her better while also being no stranger to making winning plays. No. 92 Jade Clack made her presence known on the adidas 3SSB circuit immediately. She is an agile wing with a major upside. Three-star Charlece Ohiaeri had a breakout summer as she added consistency from the 3. She comes from Centennial High School (Nevada), which knows how to win.
Previous recruiting cycles: 2022 class rankings | 2021 class rankings | 2020 class rankings