Tennessee Women's Basketball 2026 Signee Requests Release from Commitment Five-Star Plus+ power forward Oliviyah Edwards, ranked No. 2 in ESPN SportsCenter’s Next 100 list, has requested to be released from her national letter of intent to play for the University of Tennessee, according to Talia Goodman of Rivals. The announcement comes as the Lady Vols prepare for the 2026-27 season, which will mark the third year under head coach Kim Caldwell. Edwards, a highly touted prospect, had committed to Tennessee in September 2025, declaring her decision with the phrase “Big Oh to the Big Orange.” At the time, she highlighted her excitement about joining the program, stating, “I’m blessed and excited to announce my commitment to the University of Tennessee! Go Lady Vols.” Her decision was made amid a competitive recruitment process, as she had also considered offers from Florida, LSU, South Carolina, USC, and Washington. The release request places Edwards in a unique position, as she becomes the highest-ranked prospect to withdraw from a commitment with Tennessee since Jordan Horston in 2019. Horston, a former five-star recruit, had played a pivotal role in the Lady Vols’ 2018 NCAA championship run. Edwards’ potential departure could have significant implications for the program, particularly as the team seeks to build on its recent success under Caldwell. Caldwell, who took over as head coach in 2024, has led Tennessee to a 40–24 record over two seasons, including a 16–16 mark in the SEC. The Lady Vols advanced to the NCAA Tournament in both 2025 and 2026, with their 2025 run reaching the Sweet 16. Caldwell’s tenure has been marked by efforts to strengthen the roster, and Edwards’ commitment was seen as a key addition to the program’s future.#university_of_tennessee #sweet_16 #oliviyah_edwards #talia_goodman #kimbeth_caldwell
Oliviyah Edwards requests release from Lady Vols signing, per report Five-star recruit Oliviyah Edwards has requested a release from her commitment to the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball program, according to a report from On3 on April 4, 2026. The decision comes amid a significant exodus of players following the team’s worst season in program history, marked by a 16-14 record and a first-round NCAA Tournament exit. Edwards, a McDonald’s All-American and one of the most highly regarded recruits in the 2026 class, had initially expressed enthusiasm about joining the Lady Vols but now seeks to withdraw her commitment. Edwards, a 6-foot-3 forward from Tacoma, Washington, was the highest-ranked signee for the Lady Vols since Jordan Horston’s 2019 recruitment and was set to join a 2025 class ranked No. 2 nationally. Her decision to request release follows the departure of seven of Tennessee’s eight eligible players, who have entered the NCAA transfer portal following the team’s disappointing season. The exodus includes Deniya Prawl, Alyssa Latham, Kaniya Boyd, Lauren Hurst, Mia Pauldo, Mya Pauldo, and Talaysia Cooper, leaving only freshman guard Jaida Civil as the sole returner. The timing of Edwards’ request coincides with a broader crisis for the Lady Vols, led by head coach Kim Caldwell, whose second season ended with the program’s lowest winning percentage in history. Caldwell’s tenure has been marred by roster instability, with multiple key players leaving for other programs. Edwards’ departure before even enrolling at Tennessee represents a significant setback for the team’s rebuilding efforts. Edwards’ recruitment was a major highlight for the Lady Vols, as she became the first commitment of the 2026 class and was ranked No. 2 in the ESPN 2026 class.#adidas #university_of_tennessee #lady_vols #kim_caldwell #oliviyah_edwards
Oliviyah Edwards decommits as Tennessee roster shrinks to 1 Tennessee guard Jaida Civil announced Monday that she is entering the transfer portal, and Oliviyah Edwards, the No. 2 recruit in the SC Next 100 class of 2026, has requested a release from her national letter of intent with the Lady Volunteers, leaving the program with just one player on the roster for next season. The announcements add to the significant uncertainty surrounding the storied program, which went 16-14 this past season under second-year coach Kim Caldwell. Every player with remaining eligibility has entered the transfer portal—including all of the highly touted, second-ranked freshmen class. Seniors Janiah Barker and Zee Spearman will be graduating, leaving the Lady Vols with just No. 62 wing Gabby Minus set to arrive for next season. A preseason top-10 team in the Associated Press poll, the Lady Vols ended this season on an eight-game losing streak, their longest in the modern era. They also lost by 30 points to UConn in February, the largest margin of victory for either team in the series and the second-worst loss in Tennessee's history. Overall, the team lost seven games by at least 15 points, the most in 40 years. The Lady Vols were a No. 10 seed in the NCAA tournament but lost to NC State 76-61 in the first round. It was just the third time since 1982 that they failed to win a first-round matchup. Civil, a freshman from Vero Beach, Florida, played seven minutes in that loss to the Wolfpack on March 20. For the season, she averaged 6.4 points and 4.0 rebounds. She made her announcement in an Instagram post. Edwards, a 6-foot-3 forward from Washington, originally signed with Caldwell's program in November over offers from USC, South Carolina, LSU, Florida, and Washington.#tennessee #university_of_tennessee #jaida_civil #kim_caldwell #oliviyah_edwards
