COLLEGE PARK, MD -- The Maryland women's basketball team will welcome three top freshmen in the country next season, head coach
Brenda Frese announced Wednesday.
Frese and her staff signed three top recruits that make up the Terrapins' class of 2026. According to ESPN, Jordyn Jackson (Old Bridge, NJ / St. James Performance Academy) is ranked No. 7 and Mimi Thiero (Sewickley, PA / Quaker Valley High School) is ranked No. 42 nationally. Eva-Grace Yebila (London, England) is on the British U18 National Team.
Jackson is a five-star recruit and Thiero is a four-star recruit.
"I can't say enough about how hard our staff worked on signing this class," Frese said. "We tried to address some of the needs we have on our team with this group. We are excited to welcome all three into our Maryland family."
JORDYN JACKSON
Guard ● 6-1
Old Bridge, NJ ● St. James Performance Academy (VA)
IG: jordyn.jackson5
- No. 7 player in the country according to ESPN and five-star recruit
- Averaged 19.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists as a junior
- Named to Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Girls High School Player of the Year Watch List
- Earned Washington Post All-Met First Team honors in 2025 and honorable mention in 2024
- Led team to two Washington, DC state titles and to Independent School League titles
- Named State Championship MVP in 2025
- Scored over 1,000 points
- Personal bests are 34 points and 10 rebounds
- 2023 USA Women's U16 National Team
- Participated in 2023 FIBA U16 Americas Championships and won a Gold Medal
- 2025, Gatorade Player of the Year for Washington, DC
- 2025 USA Women's Basketball U19 National Team Trials Invitee
- Played AAU on the Nike EYBL circuit for Team Takeover and Team Durant
Frese on Jackson: "Jordyn Jackson is a player in our backyard that we targeted at a young age. She is a versatile wing that will have an immediate impact for us. She is a perimeter player that can score at all three levels and will bring a championship pedigree and toughness to our team. She's spent a lot of time competing against some of the best and we're excited for her to continue that here in College Park."
Jackson on Maryland: "Coach Frese and staff did a great job in my recruitment. They all stayed engaged and consistent with me throughout my high school journey. Also, I was impressed by the many of the pros Coach Frese has produced, specifically from the DMV area. My family is fairly close so they will be able to attend many games. Lastly, I was highly impressed by the academic programs Maryland offers specifically in business and entrepreneurship."
Tamika Dudley, High School Head Coach and Team Durant AAU Coach on Jackson: "I am so excited for Jordyn's next chapter at the University of Maryland. I've had the privilege of watching her grow and mature into an amazing player and even better person. She is ready to come in and contribute to an already super talented Terps team and program. I truly believe this is the perfect fit for her. Looking forward to supporting her next season."
MIMI THIERO
Forward ● 6-5
Sewickley, PA ● Quaker Valley High School
IG: mimi_thiero2
- Ranked No. 42 nationally by ESPN and four-star recruit
- TribLive HSSN Girls Athlete of the Year (2025)
- 4A Player of the Year (2024)
- Scored 578 points and grabbed 413 rebounds in her junior season, giving her 1,248 points and 915 rebounds for her career
- Averaged 23.1 points and 16.5 rebounds per game last year
- 2025 USA Women's Basketball U19 National Team Trials Invitee
- Played AAU on the Power 24 circuit for SLAAM
- Also competed in track and field and owns the school record in the High Jump at 5'8
- Took third place at state championships in the high jump in2024
- Took second place in the high jump in 2024-25
- District champion in high jump (2025)
Frese on Thiero: "Mimi Thiero is one of those players we say has a high ceiling. She comes from a family that have all played professionally, so she's grown up around the game. Her brother was a college star and currently plays for the LA Lakers. At 6-4 she can play inside and out with range that extends to the 3-point line. Watching Mimi, we saw the terrific potential for the player she can develop into. She already has attributes that can impact the game from day one. We are thrilled to welcome her and her family to College Park."
Thiero on Maryland: "I chose the University of Maryland because of its excellent coaching staff that believes in me, and for the opportunity to develop my skills while competing at a high level!"
Ken Johns, Quaker Valley High School Head Coach on Thiero: "Maryland is a great fit for Mimi and Mimi is a great fit for the Terps. Having the opportunity to be in one of the best programs in the country with fantastic players and a great coaching staff is a wonderful opportunity for her. Being around that every day is going to help her reach her potential and she has a lot of it. She hasn't even scratched the surface of it yet. Maryland is getting a great basketball player and an even better person. I'm excited for her and excited for Maryland."
Jamal Woodson, SLAAM AAU Director/Head Coach, on Thiero: "Mimi has the highest ceiling of any player I've ever coached. Watching her growth, not just as a player, but as a young woman — has been incredible. She's dedicated her life to the game she loves, and her work ethic, maturity, and leadership have inspired everyone around her. The entire SLAAM family couldn't be more proud of her. She's built for this next level, and we can't wait to see her continue to shine at the University of Maryland under their amazing coaching staff. Mimi is proof that when talent meets dedication, greatness follows."
EVA-GRACE YEBILA
Center ● 6-4
Hackney, London, England ● City of London Academy Southwark
IG: eva.yebila
- Competed in the EuroBasket U18 Division B this summer, where she averaged 5.4 points and led team with 6.7 rebounds
- Named to Great Britain U18 national team and was third on the team in efficiency
- In her second official season of basketball, led team to U18 women's national cup championship and Division 1 championship
- Women's NBL1 League and Playoff National Champions 2024-2025
- Named to Hoopsfix All Star Classic 2025 Team
- Currently leading the academy league in blocks, fifth in rebounds
- In the top 10 of Division 1 in efficiency
Frese on Yebila: "Eva appeared on our radar from relationships we built recruiting Isi. Eva was late to basketball, but at her size, her best basketball is ahead of her. We want her to give us an inside presence who can score and rebound in the paint. Eva and her family continue the British invasion and we're thrilled they chose to come to Maryland."
Yebila on Maryland: "I chose Maryland because of the visible strong relationships between everyone and the close family vibe I immediately felt. I immediately felt connected to the coaches and teammates, and the development and growth that could be provided was one of a kind."
