Nyla Brooks, a five-star prospect in the class of 2025, is leading a loaded recruitment following her decommitment from Tennessee. Brooks will still consider the Lady Volunteers as a possible landing spot while also welcoming new schools that show interest.
“I am very far along in my recruitment,” Brooks told 247Sports. “I just opened my recruitment back up because I was committed to Tennessee probably a month ago, then I decommitted due to the coaching changes. I’m giving Tennessee a fair shot because they were my dream school, but a lot of schools have jumped in and started recruiting me hard. So, I’ll be making my decision probably after the high school season.”
When it comes to Tennessee’s re-recruitment of Brooks, new head coach Kim Caldwell has made it clear that the 6-foot-1 wing from Alexandria, Virginia, will remain a target.
“The head coach, Coach Kim, reached out to me and was telling me (that) Tennessee is still the school for me,” Brooks said. “They’ve been my dream school since middle school, so I’m giving them a fair shot. They’ve been recruiting me hard, and we’ve talked a few times. Coach Caldwell likes my game and thinks I fit Tennessee’s playing style and wants me committed again to Tennessee. We have a good relationship, we’ve been chatting, and I’ve been talking to the whole staff as well.”
While Tennessee is still an option, programs like North Carolina, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Maryland, Florida, Clemson, and others have entered the picture. Brooks will continue to build relationships with the programs that reach out to her while also preparing for her eventual on-campus visits.
“A lot of schools across the country have been hitting me up, and I have good relationships with all of those, and I’m excited for what the future holds,” she explained.
“I’m planning on visiting Maryland pretty soon along with UNC and Virginia Tech. I haven’t really planned any visits outside the DMV area, but I’m going to go on some, though. These visits will come soon, so when school ends in a week or two.”
Brooks will really take her time and evaluate her options. With a decision not expected in the near future, she starts to plan to take her visits and build relationships with the programs.
“I’m going to go on some visits to schools that are interested in me,” she said. “I wouldn’t say to every single school, but I’ll be narrowing down my list in November. It’ll probably happen before the high school season starts, and I’ll narrow it to 7, then go from there. For right now, just building relationships and getting to know coaches at each school.”
When looking to make her future decision, Brooks says that she will pay attention to the schools’ academic standards in addition to their play style.
“I’m looking for good academics, for sure,” Brooks stated. “I want to major in Sports Management, so if they have a great program, that’s perfect. I want a staff that loves academics and wants their student-athletes to be in the books, so that’s No. 1. No. 2 is playing style. I want to do my thing on the court, so I want to go to a school that needs me and not wants me. I want to be in a system where I could be developed for the next level.”
