Jayla Forbes gives Texas its first 2027 five-star pledge
ESPN’s No. 13 player in the 2027 girls’ class picked Texas over six other finalists, giving Vic Schaefer a major frontcourt start.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
Texas has its first five-star commitment for the 2027 recruiting cycle, and it comes with real size: Jayla Forbes, ESPN’s No. 13 player in the girls’ SC Next class of 2027, announced Thursday that she has committed to the Longhorns.
ESPN ranks Forbes as the No. 2 post player in the class. She is the fifth five-star prospect from the 2027 group to make a college commitment for the 2027-28 season, according to ESPN.
Forbes chose Texas from a group that also included Notre Dame, UCLA, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, California and Mississippi State.
Forbes told ESPN that the chance to play in one of college basketball’s top conferences and test herself against elite competition was something she identified early in her recruitment.
She also pointed to Texas coach Vic Schaefer’s track record with post players. Forbes told ESPN that Schaefer’s belief in her, plus what she described as the program’s culture of excellence and accountability, helped lead her to the Longhorns.
A frontcourt fit for Schaefer
Forbes plans to move from Montverde Academy to IMG Academy for her final year of high school, according to ESPN.
Her commitment adds another high-end post player to Schaefer’s recruiting record. ESPN noted that true size inside has been a key part of Schaefer’s strongest teams, and described Forbes as fitting that profile.
In ESPN’s evaluation, Forbes brings mobility for her size, strong hands, touch near the basket and the ability to shoot from midrange, with some range beyond that area. ESPN also reported that she has grown more forceful on offense and can control the paint defensively in multiple ways.
ESPN compared parts of Forbes’ game to Kyla Oldacre, who recently graduated from Texas, and Tierra McCowan, who played for Schaefer at Mississippi State from 2015 to 2019.
Big summer, big decision
Forbes has been producing on the Nike EYBL circuit with Her Elite this summer. ESPN reported that she is averaging 16.2 points and 9 rebounds while shooting 64.6% from the field and 79.2% from the free-throw line in a little more than 20 minutes per game.
She also played for the Team USA squad that won the U18 FIBA AmeriCup last month in Irapuato, Mexico, according to ESPN.
Forbes made an unofficial visit to Texas in early February. ESPN reported that her official visit to Austin is scheduled for Sept. 11-13.
The pledge comes after another deep Texas run. The Longhorns finished the 2025-26 season with a second straight trip to the Final Four, according to ESPN.
Texas has also had roster movement. ESPN reported that Rori Harmon graduated, while Aaliyah Crump, Jordan Lee and Justice Carlton left through the transfer portal.
The Longhorns are still set to bring plenty of firepower to Austin this fall. Returning All-American Madison Booker is expected to be joined by ESPN’s No. 3 recruiting class for 2026, a group that includes five-stars Addison Bjorn, Brihanna Crittendon, Aaliah Spaight and Joyce-Isi Etute, plus four-star Amalia Holguin.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.