USC women’s basketball confirmed on November 13, national signing day for collegiate sports, that two top recruits will join the 2026-2027 season.
Saniyah Hall and Sitaya Fagan are two of the most nationally recognized prospects for Women’s college basketball ahead of the 2026-2027 season. Hall is the No. 1-ranked recruit in the United States, and Fagan will join USC from Melbourne, Australia, bringing international-level experience to Los Angeles.
“We think we have the best class in the country and the best duo in the country,” said USC women’s basketball head coach Lindsay Gottlieb in a press release on Wednesday.
USC students said the athletes’ signing establishes momentum in the program’s successful recruiting history, with USC acquiring three of the last four No. 1-ranked recruits in the country.
“It’s really exciting to have these top recruits come to USC because I feel like USC women’s basketball is already such a staple at USC,” Kyra Burkhardt, a sophomore studying public relations and advertising, said. “I think bringing in new talent will energize the community.”
Some students said they are also excited to see an increase in game attendance with more star-studded players on the roster.
“[The recruits] will just make the games more exciting, and the fans will be more excited,” Natalie Khine, a sophomore studying business administration, said. “I think both of these players are really, really good, and I think they’ll be a great addition to the team that we already have now.”
Hall and Fagan join past top recruits Jazzy Davidson and JuJu Watkins, creating a powerful group to lead the Trojans.
Hall and Davidson played together on Team USA during the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in 2025.
USC women’s basketball has steadily gained more attention in recent years, largely due to the success of powerful recruits like JuJu Watkins and Kennedy Smith.
The announcement to add more elite players to the team continues a legacy for women’s basketball at USC.
“If you look at Caitlin Clark, her being a standout star drew a lot of attention to women’s basketball,” Burkhardt said. “I think having a group of amazing [recruits] will do the same, and hopefully accelerate the conversation that women have a place in sports.”
The duo recruits are also set to build upon the legacy of past championship teams, including Cheryl Miller, Cynthia Cooper, Pamela McGee and Paula McGee, who all helped USC women’s basketball win its first two national championships.
Hall, the No. 1-ranked recruit in the nation, is currently playing in Geneva, Ohio, for Spire Academy during her senior year of high school. At 16 years old, Hall played for Team USA in the FIBA U19 World Cup, earning the Most Valuable Player award after leading her team in scoring.
“Saniyah is the No. 1 player in the country for a reason,” said Gottlieb. “She is the complete modern basketball player. She can score the ball at every level, around the rim, from three and the mid-range. She’s just a really, really talented player.”
Hall was also named the 2025-2026 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Girls High School Player of the Year Watch List yesterday, announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.
Fagan played for Australia’s national team at the FIBA U19 World Cup, averaging 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds. Her accomplishments also include gold medal wins at the 2023 FIBA U16 Asian Championship and the 2022 FIBA U15 Oceania Championship.
“She has a high basketball IQ and just her competitive toughness and her will to win is what truly sets her apart and why she’s considered one of the best in the world,” said women’s basketball assistant coach Nikki Blue in the same press release on Wednesday.
USC women’s basketball’s Instagram account released videos of Hall and Fagan’s introduction to the USC community and their excitement to join the Trojans next season.
“[Hall and Fagan], they’re going to help us get to the next level,” said Gottlieb. “I think the best is in front of us for the Trojan women’s basketball program.”
Khine also has high hopes for the future seasons of Trojan women’s basketball.
“I’m really excited for [Hall and Fagan] to join our team, I think they’ll both add a lot defensively and offensively to our team,” said Khine. “Both of them have a lot of potential to bring our team to the next level.”
The future for USC women’s basketball continues to gain momentum with Hall and Fagan, and students look forward to the highly anticipated season for the Women of Troy.