Maryland women’s basketball has landed one of the top recruits in the country.
Jordyn Jackson, a five-star prospect from Sidwell Friends School in Washington, announced her commitment to the Terps on Saturday on social media.
The 6-foot-1 guard from Arlington, Virginia, is ranked the No. 8 player in the 2026 class by ESPN and No. 23 by 247Sports. She picked Maryland over TCU, Alabama, Miami, South Carolina and Ohio State.
“I chose Maryland because I believe coach [Brenda] Frese and the program will help me fulfill my long-term and short-term goals — like winning a national championship and Freshman of the Year,” Jackson told ESPN. “Their offensive style also aligns with mine, and I believe Coach Frese has proven that players with my playing style and position thrive in their program.”
Jackson averaged 19.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists this past season to help lead Sidwell Friends to the Independent School League and D.C. State Athletic Association championships. She was named first-team All-Met by The Washington Post.
For her senior season, Jackson will be following her coach at Sidwell Friends and with Team Durant of the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League, Tamika Dudley, who is leaving to become the first director of girls basketball at St. James Performance Academy in Springfield.
According to 247Sports Director of Scouting Brandon Clay, Jackson can “thrive in a system where she is able to make plays in transition.”
“Jackson has the diversity in her game to make an impact on either side of the basketball,” Clay said. “She is a good athlete who still has tremendous upside at the next level. Jackson’s skill set and physical stature gives her plenty of room for growth and success upon arrival in College Park next summer.”
Frese and the Terps are coming off a 25-8 season that ended with a 71-67 loss to No. 2 seed South Carolina in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Maryland is considered a Top 25 team heading into the 2025-26 season with the return of Bri McDaniel and Kaylene Smikle alongside veterans Saylor Poffenbarger and Christina Dalce.
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