Five-star freshman Kate Harpring should have an immediate impact for a North Carolina team looking to build on last year’s Sweet 16 run. Courtesy of UNC WBBShane LaflinMultiple AuthorsOct 14, 2026, 07:30 AM ETOpen Extended ReactionsThe 2026-27 women’s college basketball season is less than a month away, along with another highly anticipated freshman class. During their recruitment cycle, these players were evaluated relative to the high school and club games — how will the projections hold up at the next level?Impact for these freshmen can be defined in several ways. Some of these players will have an opportunity to contribute immediately because of roster needs; others will need more time to carve out roles alongside established stars.A year ago, top prospects Jazzy Davidson (USC) and Aaliyah Chavez (Oklahoma) made immediate, major impressions on their programs, while unranked Aubrey Galvan (Vanderbilt) emerged as a breakout star.The 2026 class, while strong, might not have a player with the impact of Davidson or Sarah Strong out of the gate but the following 10 freshmen are projected to contribute heavily and evolve into important performers.1. Kate Harpring, G, North Carolina2026 SC Next 100 ranking: 4The Tar Heels had a need on the perimeter with Lanie Grant and Elina Aarnisalo transferring.
Enter Harpring, a do-everything combo guard and the highest-rated recruit for coach Courtney Banghart. Harpring was an exceptional scorer in high school and rounds out her game with hard-nosed defense and rebounding. She spent the summer rehabbing a shoulder injury sustained in the McDonald’s All-American game in March but has started practices strongly in Chapel Hill and looks comfortable with the speed of the college game. She has the biggest opportunity to be the most impactful player in her class.Banghart says: “[Kate] is in the office every day before practice watching film with me — learning angles and playmaking and defensive schemes.
She has great instincts and her anticipatory skills on the defensive end are translatable. Her physicality and speed set her up for play at this level.”2. Saniyah Hall, G/F, USC2026 SC Next 100 ranking: 1The headliner of the nation’s top recruiting class joins a loaded roster featuring superstar JuJu Watkins (2023, No. 1) and reigning national freshman of the year Davidson (2025, No. 1). Hall, who earned MVP honors at the U19 World Cup with gold medal-winning Team USA, can handle the ball, score and defend across multiple positions.
In Los Angeles, there’s a good chance she will draw the attention of opposing small or power forwards — and she can find advantages against both positions. Early word is she’s shooting quite well from deep in live action, too. If she can sustain that into the season, she’ll be a matchup problem.3. McKenna Woliczko, F, Iowa2026 SC Next 100 ranking: 3With Hannah Stuelke graduated, Woliczko has a major opportunity to fill a void at forward alongside breakout junior Ava Heiden.
The 6-2 freshman forward plays with a relentless motor and does much of her damage on the glass and around the rim. She’s also working to expand her 3-point shooting, which could give the Hawkeyes a different offensive dimension without sacrificing the energy and physicality Stuelke provided.Iowa coach Jan Jansen says: “[McKenna] came in understanding that she was entering a whole new level. She has worked very hard and has embraced increasing her range and expanding her perimeter skills. As she continues to develop … she has the potential to be an incredible forward with stellar versatility.”4.
Sara Okeke, F, USC2026 SC Next 100 ranking: 5Few freshmen match Okeke’s physical ability. At 6-4, her fluidity, length, agility and instincts can’t be taught, making her an imposing presence on both ends. Her mobility will also open so many playmaking opportunities for guards Watkins, Davidson and Kennedy Smith. Alongside the veterans, Okeke will join Hall and international five-star Sitaya Fagan in giving the Trojans athletic, long and interchangeable performers.
Bottom line: Expect major minutes from Okeke because USC needs her interior production.5. Olivia Vukosa, C, UConn2026 SC Next 100 ranking: 2Vukosa arrives in Storrs with much more experience than the typical freshman after years of representing Croatia internationally. The 6-4 center — who averaged 15.6 points and 9.1 rebounds at the U20 EuroBasket B Division this summer — slots into the opening in the frontcourt provided by Serah Wiliams’ graduation, giving Geno Auriemma another skilled big who can facilitate, space the floor and play off Sarah Strong as the Huskies chase another Final Four appearance. Vukosa was named Big East Preseason Freshman of the Year.Auriemma says: “We’ve been watching [Olivia] for the month of June and now … here [in official practice], and she’s gotten better all the time.
I’m excited for her and I think she’s going to give us a dimension that we haven’t had in our frontcourt.”6. Jacy Abii, G/F, Notre Dame2026 SC Next 100 ranking: 9Abii’s versatility — at 6-2, she can play power forward with the skills of a wing — should allow Notre Dame to use her at multiple positions as it retools around senior star Hannah Hidalgo. Abii can initiate offense, stretch the floor, rebound and play through contact inside, a combination that should fit naturally into the Irish’s up-tempo attack. Word is she’s also benefitted from advice from Notre Dame alum Skylar Diggins, who has been back on campus this fall — which is important because of the major learning curve defensively and with overall pace of play.Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey says: “Jacy has tremendous versatility and the ability to play multiple positions.
She can score at all three levels, has elite vision and is great on the boards. She will be a force on the collegiate stage this year!”7. Madison Booker every day in practice.
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