Mizzou women’s basketball signs foundational recruiting class

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Kellie Harper's first recruiting class as Mizzou's head coach is complete.

Coach Harper inked five prospects on National Signing Day, headlined by three top-100 recruits listed in ESPN and On3's rankings. MU's 2026 class, which includes Natalya Hodge, Khloe Ford, Jada Maples, Cecilie Brandimore and Ellie Mueller, is also nationally-ranked.

You can learn more about each of Mizzou's signees in the list below.

NATALYA HODGE

The 5-foot-7 point guard attends Bearden High School in Knoxville, Tennessee. According to On3, Hodge is a four-star prospect, who is considered the No. 54-ranked recruit in the nation. She averaged 25.7 points per game last season and has already surpassed 2,000 career points at the high school level.

"Natalya exemplifies toughness and is a relentless competitor," Harper said in a press release. "Her speed and high scoring ability fit our up-tempo offensive style, while also getting after it defensively. Natalya's passion for the game is contagious, and I know our fans will love watching her compete. We're thrilled to welcome a point guard whose fire and versatility perfectly fit our culture."

KHLOE FORD

The 6-foot-4 forward attends Hoover High School in Birmingham, Alabama. According to the SportsCenter NEXT 100 rankings, Ford is a four-star prospect, who is the considered the No. 94-ranked recruit in the nation. She propelled her team to a 32-4 record and a state championship last season.

"Khloe is a proven winner, coming from a powerhouse program at Hoover where she's already earned three state championships," Harper said. "Rebounding is a major priority for us, and she brings exactly that with her toughness and instincts on the boards. Her strong paint presence, paired with the ability to stretch the floor, makes her a perfect fit for our system."

JADA MAPLES

The 5-foot-10 shooting guard attends Earle High School in Earle, Arkansas. According to On3, Maples is a four-star prospect, who is considered the No. 95-ranked recruit in the nation. She is also listed as the No. 29-ranked player at her position in the country and the second-best prospect from the state of Arkansas.

"Jada is a savvy defender with a natural ability to finish through contact, bringing high-level physicality on both ends of the floor," Harper said. "Her pace, length, and toughness are exactly what it takes to stand out in our league. Jada's self-discipline and competitive drive will make an immediate impact on our culture and program."

CECILIE BRANDIMORE

The 6-foot-4 forward attends Franklin High School in Franklin, Tennessee. Brandimore averaged 24.9 points, 13.6 rebounds and three blocks per game last season.

"Cecilie holds a special place in this class as our first 2026 commitment," Harper said. "From the moment we spoke, I knew she reflected the Mizzou DNA and culture we are building here. Her pace, versatility, and ability to stretch the floor make her a perfect fit for our system."

ELLIE MUELLER

The 6-foot-3 forward attends Dowling Catholic in West Des Moines, Iowa. According to Prep Hoops Iowa, Mueller is considered the No. 5-ranked recruit from the state of Iowa. She is a two-time All-State honoree, who averaged 12 rebounds per game last season.

"Ellie has an uncommon basketball IQ that will elevate our program on every possession," Harper said. "Her decision-making and offensive efficiency, combined with her length, allow her to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Coming from a well-coached and accomplished program in Downing Catholic, Ellie is a tremendous addition to our locker room and program culture."