Washington women’s basketball earns commitment from five-star Brynn McGaughy

The Huskies’ women’s basketball program secured a big win on the recruiting trail, earning a commitment from five-star Brynn McGaughy.

On Wednesday, Washington earned a commitment from one of the nation’s top 20 recruits. Colfax, Washington native Brynn McGaughy elected to stay in her home state and commit to coach Tina Langley and the Huskies.

McGaughy, a 6-foot-3 forward who led Colfax to a state title as a sophomore, picked Washington over strong recruiting pushes from Duke, Iowa, UCLA, and Utah. She is ranked as the No. 17 recruit in the 2025 class by ESPN.

“I think the main thing for me was the culture and people there,” McGaughy told Dushawn London of 247Sports. “Their vision for me is really good and the impact I can make when I get there my freshman year will be great. I fit in really good and they feel like family.”

McGaughy is believed to be the highest-rated recruit to ever commit to the Huskies program. Liz Lay, the No. 18 recruit in 2008, is the highest-rated recruit in ESPN’s database, which extends back to 2007. Former No. 1 overall pick Kelsey Plum was ranked No. 26 in 2013.

“I never wanted to stay in Washington and I wasn’t planning on it until I took my visit,” she said. “From there, I knew that’s where I wanted to be. Early on, and up until my visit, I wanted to go out of state and have a far experience. But, it’s still 6 hours away. Staying home really wasn’t a factor in why I committed there.”

McGaughy will be a key component in Langley’s attempt to elevate the women’s basketball program to new heights. The Huskies were 7-16 in Langley’s first season in 2021, but improved to 19-15 and 16-15 in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Washington has not finished better than No. 8 in the Pac-12 since Mike Neighbors’ final season on Montlake in 2016-17, when the Huskies were 29-6 and finished tied for second in the conference.