Washington Huskies WBB get second chance at local five-star

Tina Langley and the Huskies have another shot at top 2026 recruit Oliviyah Edwards after her release from Tennessee.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 10:04am

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The Washington Huskies women's basketball team has been given a second chance to land five-star forward Oliviyah Edwards, a top-5 national recruit from Tacoma, Washington, after she requested a release from her national letter of intent with the Tennessee Volunteers. Edwards, a 6-foot-3 power forward, is considered one of the most talented prospects in the 2026 class and could be a game-changing addition to the Huskies' roster as they look to build on their recent NCAA Tournament success.

Why it matters

Landing a player of Edwards' caliber would be a major coup for the Huskies, as she has the potential to elevate the team into national title contention. Her decision to reopen her recruitment also creates an intriguing recruiting battle, with Washington looking to keep the local star close to home while other top programs will likely make a push to land her.

The details

Edwards originally committed to Tennessee over a top six that also included Florida, LSU, South Carolina, USC, and Washington. However, the departure of her primary recruiter, Gabe Lazo, to become the head coach at Central Florida, has prompted Edwards to request her release from the Volunteers. This gives the Huskies a second chance to make their pitch to the elite prospect, who is known for her physical tools, rebounding ability, and developing jump shot.

  • On Saturday, April 5, 2026, Oliviyah Edwards requested her release from Tennessee.
  • Edwards originally committed to Tennessee in the fall of 2025.

The players

Oliviyah Edwards

A five-star forward from Tacoma, Washington, who is ranked as the No. 5 player in the nation and top player at her position by 247Sports. She recently requested a release from her national letter of intent with the Tennessee Volunteers.

Tina Langley

The head coach of the Washington Huskies women's basketball team, who will be looking to keep the elite in-state prospect close to home.

Gabe Lazo

The former Tennessee assistant coach who was Edwards' primary recruiter, before leaving to become the head coach at Central Florida.

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What they’re saying

“Edwards is a fantastic frontcourt option when sprinting the lane in the open floor. In that regard, she is the most intriguing prospect in the class right now. She possesses a physical toolbox that no one else has. Edwards is also showing signs of making the 15-18 foot jumper when her feet are set. Her calling card is her willingness to rebound the basketball and be impactful in the paint.”

— Brandon Clay, 247Sports Analyst

What’s next

Edwards will now be able to consider other schools, including Washington, as she looks to find the best fit for her college career. The Huskies will need to make a strong pitch to keep the local star close to home.

The takeaway

This development gives the Washington Huskies a second chance to land one of the top recruits in the country, which could be a game-changer for their women's basketball program. Keeping elite in-state talent like Edwards is crucial for the Huskies as they look to build a national contender.