5-Star Center Jayla Forbes Makes WCBB Commitment Between Notre Dame, UCLA, Texas, More

Five-star center prospect Jayla Forbes committed to Texas on Thursday.

"The opportunity to compete in one of the best conferences in college basketball and challenge myself against the highest level of competition is something that I know I wanted early in my process," she told ESPN's Shane Laflin.

"Coach [Vic] Schaefer has a proven blueprint for developing post players and helping them reach their full potential, and that's something I want to be a part of. His belief in me, along with the culture of excellence and accountability within the program, is what pushed me to make my decision."

Forbes is the No. 5 center and No. 23 overall player in 247Sports' composite rankings for 2027.

According to Laflin, the Montverde Academy star had Notre Dame, UCLA, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, California and Mississippi State on her list of finalists.

The Longhorns are continuing to chase the national title they coveted from the moment they hired Schaefer in 2020, but he has turned the program into a powerhouse. Texas reached the Final Four in each of the last two years and made Elite Eight runs in 2021, 2022 and 2024.

Forbes' commitment builds what Schaefer and his staff achieved on the recruiting trail during the last cycle. Texas sat atop 247Sports' composite team rankings with four top-50 players (Bri Crittendon, Addison Bjorn, Aaliah Spaight and Isi Etute) in addition to 4-star guard Amalia Holguin.

Beyond the on-court success the Longhorns have enjoyed, Forbes was probably sold on Schaefer's track record in developing frontcourt talent.

Former Mississippi State star Teaira McCowan was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 WNBA draft, and Charli Collier went first overall following Schaefer's first season in Austin. Heading into her senior year, Madison Booker is projected as a possible lottery pick in 2027.

Forbes could prove to be the next in line.