***WBB: 2026 Recruiting Thread***

[StClone]

Ever?

Prophetic Post:

Fast approaching CF thread page 13,000, posters submitted images from Hilton showing Fennelly giving a thumbs up from his gurney while coaching his astounding 11,000th game. Using his now characteristic salty language post-game saying he stayed so long, "to piss off all his critics, cynics, and ass----s.

Mission accomplished coach, mission accomplished.-

 

[Ms3r4ISU]

Prophetic Post:

Fast approaching CF thread page 13,000, posters submitted images from Hilton showing Fennelly giving a thumbs up from his gurney while coaching his astounding 11,000th game. Using his now characteristic salty language post-game saying he stayed so long, "to piss off all his critics, cynics, and ass----s.

Mission accomplished coach, mission accomplished.-

Que sera sera, I guess.

 

[isucy86]

I don't doubt that they're all not getting paid more (the core three of Audi, Addy, and Jada), but I also think Addy and Jada got tired of playing second fiddle to Audi.....Bill is notorious for latching onto one player and running everything through that one player. I'm fairly certain that's why Denae Fritz and Lexi Donarski transferred...they wanted out of Ashley Joens' shadow.

If a player doesn't want to be in a star players' shadow, then they should advance their skill level. Ashley & Audi were All-Americans, not simply All Big 12.

In Donarski's case, her last season at ISU was Ashley Joen's last season. So she was poised to be ISU's big scorer during Crooks & Brown's freshman year. Coming to ISU, it wasn't a given that Audi would be a star year 1.

If being in someone's shadow impacted Donarski's decision to transfer, it was Emily Ryan being a ball dominant PG.

 

[acoustimac]

If a player doesn't want to be in a star players' shadow, then they should advance their skill level. Ashley & Audi were All-Americans, not simply All Big 12.

In Donarski's case, her last season at ISU was Ashley Joen's last season. So she was poised to be ISU's big scorer during Crooks & Brown's freshman year. Coming to ISU, it wasn't a given that Audi would be a star year 1.

If being in someone's shadow impacted Donarski's decision to transfer, it was Emily Ryan being a ball dominant PG.

Wanting to get out of someone’s shadow shows a distinct lack of confidence in one’s own ability. Especially in the exact circumstances you describe.

 

[mred]

Updated with Spotts to ISU and Tuhy to Stanford.

 

[mred]

 

[mred]

I brought in Coach McCombs' follows and recalculated things, and we have six more people added to the list.

 

[Cyfan1965]

Wanting to get out of someone’s shadow shows a distinct lack of confidence in one’s own ability. Especially in the exact circumstances you describe.

Her dad wanted her in a different offense to try and showcase her talents for WNBA. She went to NC and played exactly her role as a defender but with slightly less offense PPG.

 

[mred]

I brought in Coach McCombs' follows and recalculated things, and we have six more people added to the list.

Make that five.

 

[StClone]

Anna Gardziella: 6' 1" F Finnish High Schooler. Stats are hard to relate but available. As is going to be the case, not a lot of written info on new Coach McCombs imports. Anna's videos are few and below...but first a AI report:

Anna Gardziella is small forward (6'1") who has been a standout player in Finland’s Korisliiga and on the international stage. She most recently played for HBA-Marsky Helsinki, where she averaged 12.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game over 35 league matches in the 2025–26 season Eurobasket. She is also a key member of Finland’s national teams, having represented the country at multiple U18, U17, and U16 levels.

FIBA U18 Women’s EuroBasket 2025

At the FIBA U18 Women’s EuroBasket 2025 in Spain, Gardziella led Finland to their best-ever U18 finish — a Final appearance — and was named to the All-Star Five FIBA. She averaged 11.8 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal per game, shooting 34% from three-point range. Her tournament-best performance came in the opening game against Slovenia, where she scored 16 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, dished 3 assists, and recorded 3 steals FIBA

Otherwise, not enough info to make much comment, check out vids for a taste.

Links

Anna Gardziella - Finland - Player profile - FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2024 | FIBA Basketball Events

All detailed statistics, points, assists and rebounds of Gardziella - Finland from FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2024

www.fiba.basketball

https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=3977...zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9yZWVsL0RFeG9vS2xJMGdkLw&ntb=1

anna gardziella - Search Videos

Watch videos instantly on Bing—enjoy direct playback, discover related clips, and dive into trending content all in one place.

www.bing.com

 

[StClone]

Palmire Mbu: 6' 1" F Transfer out of Rhode Island. Likely one year remaining. From Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. Last name pronounced like m-boo.

Career Honors 2026 Atlantic 10 All-Conference Third Team. 2025–26 Season Highlights Second on the team in scoring with 10.8 points per game. Logged three 20-point games, including a career-high 24 vs. Emmanuel College. Led the team in blocks with 1.6 per game.

With the help wanted sign for forwards Mbu is an option. Skilled and experienced, able to stretch defenses with shooting, driving, versatile and a strong leader.

Links

Palmire Mbu - 2025-26 - Women's Basketball - University of Rhode Island

Palmire Mbu (5) Forward - Career Honors & Awards 2026 Atlantic 10 All-Conference Third Team 2025-26 Second on the team in scoring adding 10.8 points

gorhody.com

palmire mbu basketball - Search Videos

Watch videos instantly on Bing—enjoy direct playback, discover related clips, and dive into trending content all in one place.

www.bing.com

palmire mbu basketball - Search Videos

Watch videos instantly on Bing—enjoy direct playback, discover related clips, and dive into trending content all in one place.

www.bing.com

Palmire Mbu - Rhode Island Rams Forward - ESPN

View the profile of Rhode Island Rams Forward Palmire Mbu on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

www.espn.com

 

[acoustimac]

Her dad wanted her in a different offense to try and showcase her talents for WNBA. She went to NC and played exactly her role as a defender but with slightly less offense PPG.

Obviously the WNBA didn’t notice…or did. I believe she’s gone the European route and played this season in Hungary. Decent numbers there at about 13ppg.

 

[mred]

Fatima Diakhaté verballed Rutgers, so I'll make that update.

 

[StClone]

Grace Pongang: 6'1" F of Casselman, Ontario, H.S. recruit. Canadian National team member. In FIBA U16 had PPG 3.3, RPG 10. and 2 assists/game.

Length, athletic ability and timing. Grace Pongang has those. By unofficial tally she had at least seven blocks in the second half of her Southwest ADvantage Green 16U team’s game against vs. Wisconsin Truth 16U on July 18, 2025. She continued her defensive impact with hustle plays on both ends of the floor by rebounding and contending for loose balls. Exceptional timing on shot contests; multiple shot blocks in a single half show her ability to change shots without fouling. Uses wingspan to alter shots and deter drives, closing driving lanes and altering angles at the rim. Active rebounder and consistent at diving for loose balls, creating additional possessions and transition opportunities.

Lightly recruited, athletic Grace is overlooked due to lack of scoring despite strongly defensive side. Considering she may grow offensively is not a given for Iowa State, her addition would be best on a team with proven scoring potential. Not found on any recruiting ranking lists.

Links

Pongang Stands Out Vs 506 Elite and Ste-Foy

Grace Pongang (6’1”, F, 2026) of Casselman, ON had two standout performances at the 2024 Chris Smalling Tournament that took place from October 24-27 in Oshawa, ON. On Friday, October 25, Pongang scored 16 and led her Louis-Riel Rebelles to a 41-34 victory over 506 Elite. She continued being a...

crownscoutgirls.com

Grace Pongang - Canada - Player Profile - FIBA U16 Women's AmeriCup 2025 | FIBA Basketball

All detailed statistics, points, assists and rebounds of Pongang - Canada from FIBA U16 Women's AmeriCup 2025

www.fiba.basketball

 

[coolerifyoudid]

I really don't see a scenario where the amount of international players lessens. Young women from other countries don't have the combination of financial and educational opportunities currently presented to them in the US.

I used to think the bubble was close to bursting in college sports, but I'm beginning to think it will get a lot bigger before the big pop happens

 

[StClone]

I really don't see a scenario where the amount of international players lessens. Young women from other countries don't have the combination of financial and educational opportunities currently presented to them in the US.

I used to think the bubble was close to bursting in college sports, but I'm beginning to think it will get a lot bigger before the big pop happens

On that point, Iowa State target Mbu above leaves Rhode Island where 8 of 13 players were from abroad: https://gorhody.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/2025-26

 

[mred]

Turnsek just committed to ISU. It's just a reel on her instagram at the moment.

 

[mred]

 

[acoustimac]

Tjasa Turnsek (Slovenia) - Basketball Stats, Height, Age | FIBA Basketball

Explore the career and performances of Tjasa Turnsek. Access all stats, latest news, photos, videos and achievements.

www.fiba.basketball

 

[acoustimac]

Mark Yau on Instagram: "Tjasa Turnsek @tjasaturnsek 19pts 10rebs in Fiba U18 Women‘s EuroBasket 2025 group phase vs Greece！ #womenbasketball #womenhoops #fiba #EurobasketWomen #u18 #fiba #slovenia ： Fiba Youtube"

298 likes, 5 comments - wbb_mark on July 7, 2025: "Tjasa Turnsek @tjasaturnsek 19pts 10rebs in Fiba U18 Women‘s EuroBasket 2025 group phase vs Greece！ #womenbasketball #womenhoops #fiba #EurobasketWomen #u18 #fiba #slovenia ： Fiba Youtube".

www.instagram.com