Top 2027 Center Eve Long Narrows Her List - and UConn’s Still in the Mix
Eve Long isn’t just one of the most sought-after recruits in the country - she’s shaping up to be one of the defining players of the Class of 2027. The 6-foot-3 center out of Olathe, Kansas has drawn interest from nearly 40 programs, most of them from the Power Four conferences. Now, she’s trimmed that list down to five, and UConn is still standing.
Joining the Huskies in her final five are Duke, Kansas, Notre Dame, and UCLA - a powerhouse group of programs that speaks volumes about Long’s national profile. She announced the list via her X (formerly Twitter) account, signaling the next phase of her recruitment as she inches closer to a decision that could shape the future of whichever program lands her.
Who Is Eve Long?
At 6-foot-3, Long brings a modern, mobile post presence that checks all the boxes for elite programs. She plays for Olathe High School and is currently ranked as the No. 1 player in Kansas, the No. 2 center in the country, and the No. 11 overall prospect nationally, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.
She trails only Caroline Bradley of Oak Grove, Louisiana in the center rankings - and that’s saying something, considering the depth of talent in this class.
Long’s sophomore season numbers were eye-popping: 22.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game. She led her team to a 17-4 record and a trip to the Kansas Class 6A quarterfinals, earning first-team All-State honors in the process.
MaxPreps named her the top player in Kansas heading into the 2025-26 season, and it’s easy to see why. She’s not just dominant - she’s consistent, efficient, and already playing with a level of polish that’s rare for her age.
A Taste of the International Stage
Long’s résumé isn’t limited to high school dominance. She was a key piece of the 2025 USA Women’s U16 National Team that brought home gold at the FIBA U16 AmeriCup in Irapuato, Mexico. Starting all six games, she averaged 11.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per contest - and earned a spot on the tournament’s All-Star Five.
That kind of international experience at a young age is a strong indicator of what’s to come. Long has already shown she can compete - and thrive - on a global stage, which makes her an even more attractive target for top-tier college programs.
UConn’s Recruiting Picture
While UConn hasn’t locked in any commitments for the Class of 2027 just yet, the Huskies are far from idle on the recruiting trail. The defending national champions have already secured two major additions for the Class of 2026: Jovana Popovic and Olivia Vukosa.
Popovic, a 5-foot-8 guard from Vrbas, Serbia, has been part of her country’s national program since 2021. Head coach Geno Auriemma praised her as a high-level guard with strong playmaking instincts and scoring ability - someone who fits the Huskies’ system both on and off the court.
Then there’s Vukosa, a 6-foot-4 center out of Whitestone, New York, who comes in as the No. 1 center and No. 4 overall player in the 2026 class. Auriemma didn’t hold back when talking about her impact potential.
“She’s a big kid who can move, she has skills, she’s smart,” he said. “She works really hard at both ends of the floor.
She comes from a great program. I think she’s the kind of basketball big kid that the game demands today.”
It’s easy to imagine Long fitting right into that blueprint. If UConn can land her, she’d be another cornerstone piece - a versatile post player who can anchor the paint, stretch the floor, and play within the kind of system Auriemma has perfected over decades.
What’s Next?
For now, all eyes are on Eve Long’s next move. With five elite programs still in the hunt, her decision will be one of the most closely watched of the 2027 cycle. Whether she ends up in Storrs or somewhere else, there’s little doubt she’s poised to make a major impact at the next level.
But if UConn does land her? That frontcourt duo of Vukosa and Long could be a nightmare for opposing coaches - and a dream for Huskies fans.