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Naperville Today
By the People, for the People
Clemson Women's Basketball Loses 5-Star Recruit Trinity Jones
Top-ranked 2026 signee released from letter of intent, a major blow to Tigers' recruiting class.
Apr. 4, 2026 at 10:53pm
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Clemson women's basketball has suffered a significant recruiting setback, as five-star signee Trinity Jones has been released from her letter of intent, according to multiple reports. Jones, the No. 11 overall recruit in the 2026 class, was set to join the Tigers next season after committing in October 2025.
Why it matters
Trinity Jones was the highest-ranked recruit in Clemson's 2026 class and a key part of the program's efforts to build on its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019. Her departure leaves a major hole in the Tigers' roster and raises questions about the team's ability to maintain its momentum after a successful 2025-26 campaign.
The details
A 6-foot-1 guard from Naperville High School in Illinois, Jones averaged 28.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in her final prep season. She was a 2026 McDonald's All-American and chose Clemson over offers from Tennessee, LSU, UCLA, and TCU. Despite the loss of Jones, the Tigers still have three other top-60 recruits joining the team next season in forward Julia Scott (No. 35), forward Kimora Fields (No. 45), and guard Meeyah Green (No. 59).
- Trinity Jones committed to Clemson in October 2025.
- Jones has now been released from her letter of intent as of April 4, 2026.
The players
Trinity Jones
A 6-foot-1 guard and the No. 11 overall recruit in the 2026 class, Jones was set to join the Clemson women's basketball team before being released from her letter of intent.
Shawn Poppie
The head coach of the Clemson women's basketball team, Poppie was set to welcome Jones as his first five-star signee since taking over the program in 2024.
Candace Parker
A former Tennessee women's basketball player who also attended Naperville High School, where Trinity Jones played her prep basketball.
What they’re saying
“Trinity Jones was a key part of our recruiting class and her departure is a significant loss for our program.”
— Shawn Poppie, Head Coach, Clemson Women's Basketball
What’s next
Clemson will need to quickly adjust its recruiting strategy to fill the void left by Jones' departure and ensure the Tigers' roster remains competitive in the ACC next season.
The takeaway
The loss of a top-ranked recruit like Trinity Jones is a major blow to Clemson's women's basketball program, which was hoping to build on its recent NCAA Tournament appearance. The Tigers will need to regroup and find alternative ways to strengthen their roster for the 2026-27 season.
