By R.L. Bynum
Coach Courtney Banghart is already off to a good start in trying to lure the best of the Class of 2026 to Carolina after evidently liking what she saw when she traveled to Mérida, Mexico, for the FIBA Women’s U16 Americas Championship.
Banghart was there for the start of the event to support five-star guard Lanie Grant, her only Class of 2025 commit, and recruit. Since the American team won the gold medal on Monday, news of Carolina scholarship offers for three of Grant’s USA teammates in the Class of 2026, all five-stars, has been posted on Twitter.
In the last two days, Carolina has offered scholarships to 6–2 wing McKenna Woliczko (who ESPN ranks No. 4 in the class), 6–0 guard Trinity Jones (No. 6) and 6–1 guard Jacy Abii (No. 9), all 15 years old.
Woliczko (top photo), who attends Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, Calif., collected 14 points, nine rebounds and three steals in the USA’s 79–59 victory Monday over Canada in the gold medal game. She averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds last season, leading her team to the state championship game.
Woliczko and her USA teammate Jerzy Robinson shared honors as MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year.
Jones (above photo), who attends Naperville Central High School in Naperville, Ill., averaged 20.3 points, 12.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.3 steals and 2.2 blocks as a freshman.
Abii (above photo), who attends Liberty High School in Plano, Texas, had nine points, six rebounds, two assists and three steals against Canada. She averaged 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.1 steals, leading Liberty to a state title.
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(UNC is one below the 15-player limit)
| Year | No. | Players | Pos. | Height | |
| Freshman | 11 | Kate Harpring | PG | 5–10 | |
| Freshman | 52 | Noelle Bofia | F | 6–4 | |
| Sophomore | 3 | Gabby White — W | G | 5–10 | |
| Sophomore | 7 | Nyla Brooks | W | 6–1 | |
| Sophomore | 26 | Taissa Queiroz | G | 6–1 | |
| Junior | 34 | Blanca Thomas | C | 6–5 | |
| Junior | 1 | Jordan Zubich | G | 5–11 | |
| RS junior | 21 | Ciera Toomey | F | 6–4 | |
| RS junior | 4 | Laila Hull | W | 6–1 | |
| Senior | 5 | Sophie Burrows — X | G | 6–2 | |
| Senior | 8 | Achol Akot — Y | F | 6–1 | |
| Senior | 10 | Reniya Kelly | G | 5–7 | |
| Senior | 15 | Sydney Barker | G | 5–6 | |
| Graduate | 13 | Chloe Clardy — Z | G | 5–9 |
W — Virginia transfer; X — Syracuse transfer; Y — Oklahoma State transfer; Z — Stanford transfer
Former players who entered transfer portal
| Player | Class next season | Pos. | Hgt | Next school |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elina Aarnisalo | Junior | G | 5–10 | UCLA |
| Lanie Grant | Junior | G | 5–9 | TCU |
| Taliyah Henderson | Sophomore | W | 6–1 | Clemson |
| Liza Astakhova | Sophomore | G | 6–2 | BYU |
Photos courtesy of FIBA
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