North Carolina women’s basketball just landed a game-changing recruiting victory, as Head Coach Courtney Banghart secured commitments from two top-100 prospects five-star forward Nyla Brooks and dynamic wing Taliyah Henderson. The Tar Heels beat out perennial powerhouses like UConn, South Carolina, and Stanford to secure the elite duo, signaling UNC’s intent to contend on the national stage.
Brooks, ranked No. 15 nationally by ESPN, is a versatile 6-foot-2 forward from Virginia known for her explosive athleticism, rebounding tenacity, and ability to score from all three levels. With a skillset tailor-made for the modern game, she’s drawn comparisons to WNBA star Alyssa Thomas. Her commitment gives UNC a dominant frontcourt presence to build around.
Henderson, ranked No. 45, is a smooth, 6-foot guard/forward hybrid out of California, renowned for her defensive prowess, high IQ, and leadership on and off the court. She’s a glue player who can impact the game in multiple ways exactly the kind of wing depth Banghart has been striving to add.
This recruiting haul is among the most impressive of Banghart’s tenure and a strong statement of UNC’s rising profile in women’s college basketball. “We want players who want to build something special and that’s what we’re doing here,” Banghart said in a statement.
With Brooks and Henderson joining recent top recruits like Reniya Kelly and Ciera Toomey, the Tar Heels are assembling a roster that could soon compete deep into March. For a program rich in tradition but hungry for a return to national prominence, this duo could be the foundation for something special in Chapel Hill.
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