USC Women’s Basketball Recruiting: The 2026–27 Tracker and System Fit
First, the Vision: What Gottlieb Wants
Coach Lindsay Gottlieb has made one thing clear since taking over in Los Angeles: USC will win with versatility and depth. She’s building a roster where guards and wings are interchangeable, where length and athleticism disrupt defenses, and where the frontcourt can play with power but still stretch the floor.
Tempo & versatility: Gottlieb wants to keep pace, but she doesn’t sacrifice control. Four-guard looks, cutting actions, and spacing have been staples, and USC will only get more up-tempo in 2025–26 with players like Jazzy Davidson, Kennedy Smith, Londynn Jones, and Kara Dunn leading the charge.
Switch-heavy defense: Every player must guard multiple spots. Length, foot speed, and basketball IQ matter as much as raw stats.
Frontcourt need: Despite elite perimeter firepower, the program knows it needs impact forwards and posts who can anchor the lane and rebound, without slowing down the system.
Pipeline focus: USC is recruiting nationally now, looking for players who can thrive in Big Ten physicality and who project as pros.
That’s the lens for every offer—they’re not just collecting talent, they’re building a lineup that’s layered, fast, and tough to match up with.
The 2026 Class: Offers and Commitments
Saniyah Hall (CG, 6'2") – Committed to USC (July 25, 2025)
The headline name. Hall is the No. 1 player in the 2026 class and is already locked in. A three-level scorer with USA Basketball pedigree, she slides in perfectly with Watkins and Davidson as another dynamic perimeter threat.
Fit: USC’s dream guard trio—Hall’s scoring and defense add instant impact.
Jerzy Robinson (CG, 6'1") – Offered
A gifted scorer and creator who’s long been on USC’s board.
Fit: More length and shot-making on the perimeter; potential starter-level talent.
Oliviyah “Big O” Edwards (PF, 6'3") – Offered
Has USC in her finalists and visited campus.
Fit: USC needs her size. A versatile 4 who can defend and finish inside—a frontcourt anchor for a guard-driven team.
McKenna Woliczko (W/SG, 6'2") – Offered
Set to decide before her high school season.
Fit: Big guard/shooter with defensive versatility; stretches the floor and fits pace.
Jacy Abii (G/W, 6'2") – Offered
Smooth scorer with a strong frame; still uncommitted.
Fit: Secondary creator, adds depth and size to the backcourt.
Amari Byles (SF, 6'2") – Offered
Athletic and two-way; USC visit reported.
Fit: A switchable wing, ideal for Gottlieb’s defensive sets and transition game.
Jenica Lewis (CG, 5'10") – Offered
IG-confirmed offer; highly skilled shooter and lead guard.
Fit: Can run offense or play off the ball; adds tempo and spacing.
Sanai Green (SG, 6'1") – Offered (Committed to Duke)
No longer available but was part of USC’s early guard focus.
Fit if USC: Another big guard; length and athleticism.
Jhai Johnson (F, 6'3") – Offered August 2025
Emerging forward; stock rising after a strong summer circuit.
Fit: Athletic 4, rebounds and defends; ideal depth at forward.
Leelee (Alliyah) Bell (PF, 6'3") – Offered
Physical forward who announced USC offer earlier; USC not in her later final group.
Fit: Frontcourt scorer; would have filled a need for size
The 2027 Class: Early Offers
Kaleena Smith (PG, 5'5") – Offered
One of SoCal’s top young guards.
Fit: A true floor general; could steer the offense for the next wave of Trojans.
Eve Long (F, 6'3") – Offered
USA Basketball gold medalist and a top-10 rising forward.
Fit: Long, athletic, and versatile—exactly the type of forward USC will need when its current posts graduate.
Decision Timelines & Notes
Hall: Locked in.
Woliczko: Decision expected before November 2025.
Edwards: Campus visit complete; decision window not announced.
Byles, Lewis, Robinson, Abii, Johnson: Active in recruitment; decisions likely in late fall through spring signing.
Smith and Long: Still early, offers show USC planting seeds for the future.
