Oregon Recruit Brooklynn Haywood Opens Up About Commitment to Kelly Graves

The five-star guard discusses her relationship with the Ducks' coaching staff and star point guard Katie Fiso.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 7:06pm by

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting the energy and movement of a basketball game, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette conceptually representing the versatility and potential of the Oregon Ducks' incoming recruit Brooklynn Haywood.Haywood's commitment to Oregon adds another dynamic scoring threat to the Ducks' talented roster as they aim for a deep NCAA Tournament run.Portland Today

Brooklynn Haywood, a five-star guard and the No. 24 recruit in the class of 2026, spoke about her commitment to the Oregon Ducks and playing alongside star point guard Katie Fiso. Haywood, who was named the MVP of the recent Northwest Shootout all-star game, said the people at Oregon made her feel like family and that she's excited to join a team poised for a deep NCAA Tournament run next season.

Why it matters

The addition of Haywood to Oregon's top-10 recruiting class bolsters the Ducks' backcourt and gives them another scoring threat alongside Fiso, who led the team in points and assists last season. Haywood's commitment is a major recruiting win for head coach Kelly Graves as he looks to build on the program's second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

The details

Haywood, who played high school basketball for Union in Camas, Washington, announced her commitment to Oregon on Aug. 21, 2025, before signing on Nov. 12. She cited her strong relationship with the coaching staff and the opportunity to play with Fiso, a standout point guard from Garfield High School in Washington, as key factors in her decision. Fiso and Haywood previously played together on the same AAU team when Haywood was a freshman.

  • Haywood announced her commitment to Oregon on Aug. 21, 2025.
  • Haywood signed her National Letter of Intent on Nov. 12, 2025.

The players

Brooklynn Haywood

A five-star guard and the No. 24 recruit in the class of 2026 according to Rivals, who recently earned MVP honors at the Northwest Shootout all-star game.

Kelly Graves

The head coach of the Oregon Ducks women's basketball team, who is looking to build on the program's second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

Katie Fiso

The star point guard for the Oregon Ducks, who led the team in points and assists last season and is a nationally recognized name.

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What they’re saying

“The reason I committed to Oregon was because of the people. They made me feel like family, and I felt like they're gonna really help me improve, and just become better all four years.”

— Brooklynn Haywood, Oregon Recruit

“She was like a big sister to me. I look up to her so much. She's a great role model.”

— Brooklynn Haywood, Oregon Recruit

“Just kind of stepping into my role naturally and doing whatever they need me to do. But I know I can score and what I can bring to the table with my energy, so just doing that every day.”

— Brooklynn Haywood, Oregon Recruit

What’s next

Haywood is set to participate in the Jordan Brand Classic on Apr. 17, 2026, as she prepares to join the Oregon Ducks in the fall.

The takeaway

Haywood's commitment to Oregon is a significant recruiting win for the Ducks, as they add a talented and versatile guard who should complement star point guard Katie Fiso well. Haywood's strong relationship with the coaching staff and her excitement to play with Fiso suggest she could make an immediate impact as the Ducks look to build on their recent NCAA Tournament success.