Memphis Women's Basketball Adds Four to 2027 Recruiting Class

The announcement, made on Wednesday, introduces a group of student-athletes designed to add depth to the program through versatility and scoring.

The incoming class includes guards Ashanti Taylor and Bella Rose Austin, forward Bri’Asia Rowe, and guard/forward Kaylei Thornton.

The recruiting cycle represents a strategic push for the Memphis program to acquire specific physical profiles. Coach Haden said that the staff prioritized certain athletic benchmarks during the selection process.

“We were seeking length, versatility, athleticism, high character and young women who are excited to represent Memphis in this recruiting class, and we were able to check each of the boxes in these young women,” said Hana Haden, head coach of Memphis women’s basketball.

Ashanti Taylor, a guard from Monroe, North Carolina, enters the program with a high-volume scoring pedigree. During her three seasons at Porter Ridge High School, Taylor maintained an average of at least 18 points per game.

Her sophomore season was particularly productive, where she averaged 31.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 5.5 steals per game.

Taylor’s ability to function as both a scorer and a distributor is a primary draw for the Tigers. Haden emphasized that Taylor possesses “elite court vision” and a physical size at the point guard position that aids her defensive capabilities.

Porter ridge high school indian trail nc primaryphoto

Memphis native Bella Rose Austin will join the roster from Harding Academy. Austin has established herself as a dual-threat player in her hometown, combining scoring with strong rebounding.

During her junior year, Austin averaged 10.2 rebounds per game and earned Second Team All-Metro recognition from The Commercial Appeal. She also carries a strong athletic lineage, as her brother, Calvin Austin III, previously played football for Memphis before moving to the NFL.

The Tigers are also addressing their interior presence with the signing of Bri’Asia Rowe. A forward from South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, Rowe is noted for her high motor and explosiveness.

In her sophomore varsity season, Rowe recorded averages of 12.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Haden highlighted Rowe’s physical play style, specifically noting her ability to attack the rim.

“She has attempted dunks in multiple games, and I look forward to her completing one in a Tiger uniform,” Haden said.

The final addition to the 2027 class, Kaylei Thornton, provides perimeter shooting and size from the guard/forward position. Thornton joins the program from Wakeland High School in Frisco, Texas, where she earned District 12-5A Co-Most Valuable Player honors.

As a junior, Thornton averaged 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 2.2 assists per game. Her performance helped lead the Lady Wolverines to a top 10 ranking in the Texas Girls Coaches Association state rankings.

The coaching staff expects Thornton's ability to space the floor to help the team. Haden described Thornton as one of the premier shooters on the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) circuit.

Player	Position	Hometown	Key High School Stat
Ashanti Taylor	Guard	Monroe, N.C.	31.1 PPG (Sophomore year)
Bella Rose Austin	Guard	Memphis, Tenn.	10.2 RPG (Junior year)
Bri’Asia Rowe	Forward	Charlotte, N.C.	12.9 PPG (Sophomore year)
Kaylei Thornton	Guard/Forward	Frisco, Texas	16.8 PPG (Junior year)

The long-term impact of these signings will depend on how these four athletes transition from high school competition to the rigors of Division I basketball. While the talent is evident in their high school metrics, the depth of the 2027 class will be tested as they integrate into the Tigers’ system.

Season tickets for the 2026-27 Memphis women’s basketball season are currently available for purchase.

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