Lady Vol Hoops Nets Second Straight Top-10 Signing Class

Lady Vol head coach Kim Caldwell has confirmed that a pair of highly-regarded high school players from the class of 2026 have signed Institutional Financial Aid Agreements to attend the University of Tennessee and represent the Lady Vol basketball program.

Making it official by submitting their paperwork are 6-foot-3 forward Oliviyah "Big Oh" Edwards of Tacoma, Wash., and 6-1 guard Gabby Minus from Dacula, Ga. Their signatures give Caldwell and her staff their second consecutive top-10 class, checking in at No. 7 in ESPN's recruiting rankings.

Edwards, only the second player from the state of Washington to join the UT women's program, is ranked as the nation's No. 2 prospect in the SportsCenter NEXT 100 and is rated No. 5 by 247Sports. The five-star Lincoln High School product chose Tennessee over South Carolina, LSU, USC, Florida and Washington.

ESPN's Shane Laflin shared that "Edwards is a skilled and multifaceted 6-3 forward who creates constant match-up problems. She stretches the floor as a face-up shooter, can attack off the bounce and has the dexterity to finish with either hand at the rim. Stylistically, she should flourish with the Lady Vols."

Minus, meanwhile, hails from the same town as current Lady Vol Zee Spearman but attends Hebron Christian Academy. She is ranked No. 45 by 247Sports and No. 62 in the SportsCenter NEXT 100. The No. 3 player in the state of Georgia and four-star prospect chose the Lady Vols over Baylor, Florida, Clemson and Georgia.

Laflin described Minus as "a blue collar, physical wing whose competitiveness stands out. She's known for being a hard-driving slasher and shooter. She's a committed, tough defender who rebounds well and can guard multiple positions."

This No. 7-rated signing group, coming on the heels of last season's No. 2 class, gives Tennessee its first back-to-back top-10 signing classes since 2018 (No. 4) and 2019 (No. 9).

The addition of Edwards as the nation's No. 2 ranked recruit, meanwhile, marks the highest rated player to sign with the Big Orange since No. 2-rated Jordan Horston in 2019. Furthermore, she's the highest ranked forward or center to join the program since No. 1 Mercedes Russell (6-6 center) in 2013.

Oliviyah "Big Oh" Edwards
6-3 | Forward | Tacoma, Wash. | Lincoln H.S.

Caldwell's Comments
"Oliviyah will come in and make an impact on both ends of the court. Her versatility and play-making ability will set her apart. She is a high character person, and we couldn't be happier for her to join our program."

Career Highlights

Five-star prospect
Ranked No. 2 in SportsCenter NEXT 100
Ranked No. 5 by 247Sports
No. 1 player in Washington
Chose Tennessee over South Carolina, LSU, USC, Florida & Washington
Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Girls High School Player of the Year Watch List
Played club ball for the Northwest Greyhounds
Also played for LVFL and coach Chamique Holdsclaw with Venom Tears in OT Select
Played in OT Select with current UT freshmen Mia and Mya Pauldo and Deniya Prawl
Named "Queen of the Court" in that league's inaugural season.
Dunked for the first time while in seventh grade

Gabby Minus
6-1 | Guard | Dacula, Ga. | Hebron Christian Academy

Caldwell's Comments
"Gabby is a high-motor player who will come in ready to compete. The moment she steps on campus, our competitiveness will rise. Her energy and infectious personality will be a great addition to our Lady Vol family."

Career Highlights

Four-star prospect
Ranked No. 45 by 247Sports
Rated No. 62 in SportsCenter NEXT 100 class
No. 3 player in Georgia
Chose Tennessee over Baylor, Florida, Clemson and Georgia
Atlanta All-Metro High School Girls Preseason Watch List
Played club ball for Team Curry
Played in the OT Select league

University of Tennessee Athletics

Lady Vol Hoops Nets Second Straight Top-10 Signing Class

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Players Mentioned

Mya Pauldo

Deniya Prawl

Zee Spearman

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