KNOXVILLE, TN – November 23, 2025 – Guard Talaysia Cooper #55 of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers during the game between the Coppin State Eagles and the Tennessee Lady Volunteers at Food City Center in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Elliot Walker/Tennessee Athletics

It’s still relatively early in the recruiting process for five-star guard Avery Arije, but Lady Vols basketball is putting itself in a strong position. This past weekend, Arije named her 20 top offers and a separate list of the top six schools showing interest. Tennessee was in the group of six.

Along with the Lady Vols were UCLA, South Carolina, UConn, Texas and USC. Notable schools to offer include Vanderbilt, Duke, LSU, Notre Dame, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Oklahoma, Stanford, NC State, Michigan and more.

Arije is a five-star recruit, according to 247 Composite. She is considered the No. 15 player in the 2027 class, No. 5 shooting guard and top recruit from Ontario. She plays for Crestwood Prep in Toronto.

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“Arije, who was named the MVP of the adidas 3SSB 16-and-Under Division last year, has the skill to get downhill effectively attacking in either direction,” 247 director of women’s basketball scouting Brandon Clay wrote. “A left-handed jump shooter, Arije looks to attack first but has the skill to make open shots. Longer term, Arije’s athletic ability can be extremely valuable on the other end of the basketball floor as well…”

So far, Tennessee has landed no commitments in the 2027 class. However, this past cycle, Kim Caldwell and company landed a pair of incoming freshmen. This features top-50 prospect Gabby Minus and international star Irene Oboavwoduo. That duo will join 13 incoming transfers to complete next year’s roster.

The Lady Vols also held onto the signing of Oliviyah Edwards, a five-star forward, in that 2026 class. However, after a turbulent end to last season, she requested a release from her signing and later signed with South Carolina. UT also landed five freshmen in the 2025 class, featuring three McDonald’s All-Americans, but each departed for the portal after their freshman year.