Kaleena Smith, a 5-foot-5 point guard, is currently the top-ranked recruit in the Class of 2027. USC Trojans women’s basketball program, under the leadership of Lindsay Gottlieb, has officially offered Smith a spot on their team. Smith, who attends Ontario Christian High School in California, already holds offers from other top programs like Louisville, UConn, UCLA, LSU and South Carolina.
Last season, Smith showcased her skill on the court by averaging 18.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. She was also selected to play for the USA Basketball U-17 National Team and is set to join Overtime Select, a new women’s basketball league for top recruits, in August.
The recruitment of Smith reflects the Trojan’s current standing in women’s college basketball. Led by JuJu Watkins, the program has undergone a transformation under Lindsay Gottlieb. USC is now considered a powerhouse in the sport, with expectations of reaching the Final Four and competing for top honors in the Women’s NCAA Tournament. The program has risen from obscurity and average performance to regain the prominence it had in the early 1990s.
For more sports coverage, visit our friends at Fighting Irish Wire, Buffaloes Wire, and Ducks Wire. Make sure to also follow our newest sites, UW Huskies Wire and UCLA Wire. And for additional NFL draft coverage, check out the USA TODAY Sports NFL Draft Hub.