Tennessee’s women’s basketball staff had a notable visitor in Knoxville this week, welcoming class of 2029 recruit Laine Lyles for an unofficial visit on Tuesday, July 21.
Lyles, who is just 15 years old, is already drawing major attention in the early stages of her recruiting cycle. Tennessee is one of a long list of programs that have offered her, with Arizona State, Ohio State, Purdue, Louisville, Virginia Tech, Michigan State, Michigan, Illinois, Notre Dame, Clemson, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Georgia also in the mix.
The Lady Vols extended their offer to Lyles on July 14, just before she made the trip to campus. While in Knoxville, she met with Kim Caldwell and the full Tennessee staff, including the assistant coaches.
Lyles plays at Culver Academy in Indiana and also suits up for West Virginia Thunder in AAU. At 5-foot-10, she brings the kind of size that can give her options across positions.
Tennessee is still waiting on its first commitment in the 2027, 2028 and 2029 classes. In the most recent cycle, the Lady Vols had held a commitment from five-star Oliviyah Edwards since the fall, but she was released from her signing and later joined South Carolina. Tennessee also signed four-star Gabby Minus and international recruit Irene Oboavwoduo.
That leaves Minus as the biggest name in the high school portion of the incoming group, which is paired with 13 transfer additions to complete UT’s 2026-27 roster.
“Gabby Minus is a tough-nosed, hard-working player who will come in as a freshman and have a lasting impact,” Caldwell said. “Her passion and love for the University of Tennessee are contagious. I am really excited about coaching Gabby.”
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