The Lady Vols just landed another big-time name, and it’s one fans in Knoxville should be excited about. Oliviyah Edwards, a 6-foot-3 forward out of Tacoma, Washington, has officially been named to the McDonald’s All-American Game roster - a nod that places her among the elite in high school basketball.
She’s not just a top-tier prospect; she’s ranked No. 2 in the entire 2026 class by ESPN. And come next season, she’ll be suiting up in orange and white.
For Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell, this marks the fourth McDonald’s All-American she’s brought into the program in just two years. That list already includes current freshmen Mia Pauldo, Deniya Prawl, and Jaida Civil - all of whom are contributing right away. It’s a clear sign Caldwell isn’t just recruiting talent; she’s finding players who are ready to make an impact from day one.
Edwards is one of two signees in Tennessee’s 2026 recruiting class, alongside four-star guard Gabby Minus. While Minus didn’t make the McDonald’s roster, she’s still considered a highly regarded addition to the program. But there’s no question Edwards is the headliner here.
The McDonald’s All-American Game, set for late March, will showcase all 16 of ESPN’s top-ranked prospects - and Edwards will be right in the thick of it. Her game is built for the next level.
She’s long, athletic, and plays with a maturity that’s rare for her age. And according to Caldwell, she brings more than just skill.
“She’ll be one that I think will be special to watch,” Caldwell said after Edwards signed. “She’s a great kid.
She wants to get better. She wants to win.
She is selfless to give every aspect of, ‘Hey, we need to do what it takes to win.’ And to do that at a young age, especially when she has had the attention and notoriety around her, it speaks volumes of her character.”
That mindset - the drive to compete, to improve, and to lead - is exactly what the Lady Vols are looking for as they continue to rebuild a program with championship expectations. And with Edwards on the way, the future looks bright.
As for the present, Tennessee sits at 14-5 overall and 6-1 in SEC play, but momentum has taken a bit of a hit. The Lady Vols are coming off back-to-back losses - first a tough one at home against Mississippi State, then a lopsided 30-point defeat on the road at UConn. It’s a gut check moment for a team that had been rolling through conference play.
The road doesn’t get any easier. Up next, Tennessee travels to face Georgia on Thursday, Feb. 5, with tip-off set for 6:30 p.m.
ET on SECN+. Then comes a heavyweight matchup against South Carolina on Sunday - a 3 p.m.
ET tip on ABC.
But even as the Lady Vols navigate the ups and downs of SEC play, the long-term picture is coming into focus. With Edwards and Minus joining a young core that’s already seeing the floor, Caldwell is stacking the kind of talent that can turn Tennessee into a perennial contender again.
And if Edwards lives up to the billing - and all signs suggest she will - she could be the next star to carry on the Lady Vols’ storied legacy.