Recruiting update: Five-star 2026 prospect Jacy Abii turned down Duke and LSU to commit to the Tennessee Volunteers.
The Tennessee Volunteers have scored a recruiting coup in the women’s basketball class of 2026, landing five‑star forward Jacy Abii. The 6-foot-3 standout from Frisco Liberty High School (TX) elected to join Tennessee’s program, turning down high‑profile offers from Duke and LSU in the process.
Abii, ranked among the top 20 national prospects in her class, visited all three finalist schools last month. At Duke, she toured Coach Kara Lawson’s revamped facilities and met with the Blue Devils’ veteran roster. At LSU, she experienced Kim Mulkey’s demanding player‑development regimen. But it was in Knoxville where Abii felt the strongest connection—bonding with head coach Kelly Walters’s staff, Tennessee’s passionate fan base, and the promise of immediate frontcourt minutes.
“From the moment I stepped into Thompson–Boling Arena, I knew this was home,” Abii said in announcing her commitment. “The tradition, the energy, and the vision Coach Walters laid out for me made my decision easy.”
Tennessee’s 2026 class now ranks among the SEC’s best, thanks in large part to Abii’s interior presence. Her shot‑blocking, rebounding, and emerging perimeter skills address a critical frontcourt need and give the Vols a versatile weapon on both ends of the floor.
Head coach Kelly Walters celebrated the pick-up as a statement to the rest of women’s basketball. “Jacy is a transformational talent,” Walters said. “Her blend of size, athleticism, and skill fits perfectly with our style. She’s going to help us compete for SEC and national championships.”
With national signing day approaching next winter, Tennessee’s momentum continues to build. Abii’s choice over Duke and LSU not only strengthens Rocky Top’s roster but also sends a clear signal: the Vols are back in the hunt for elite talent.
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