Rutgers women’s basketball has landed its first commitment of the 2026 recruiting class, with Canadian wing Chante Murray officially committing to the Scarlet Knights on Friday. Murray is a 6-foot-1 small forward from Mississauga, Ontario, and is playing her senior year of high school basketball at Crestwood Prep in Toronto, one of the leading programs in Canada. She will be the first Canadian player to take the floor for the Knights since Mael Gilles played for Rutgers from 2017 to 2021.
Murray also brings international experience, as she played as a reserve on Canada’s team at the 2024 FIBA U18 Women’s Americup. She played in four games, averaging 1.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and an assist per game en route to the Canadians winning a silver medal in the competition. In addition, she plays for Kia Nurse Elite on the AAU Circuit, which is the only Jordan-sponsored Nike EYBL program in Canada.
Murray is the fourth-ranked recruit in Canada’s 2026 class, with the three prospects ahead of her having already committed to high-major programs around the country. She is an athletic forward with length, something that Coquese Washington has wanted for her team, as her teammates Antonia Bates and Zachara Perkins have similar builds. She is a two-way scorer, a strong defender, and can play multiple positions as a wing player.
With the 2025 season fast approaching, Coquese Washington and her staff are preparing for the future as they have sent out offers to others in the 2026 and 2027 classes. With a top prospect like Murray committing, this could open up the floodgates for more recruits to sign in the near future.