Indiana Women’s Basketball Lands Top 25 Class
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana women’s basketball will welcome the sixth-ranked recruiting class to campus in 2026-27 with the signing of GiGi Battle, Zoe Jackson, Ashlinn James, Addy Nyemchek. The class is the second-best class in the Big Ten according to ESPNw.
GiGi Battle
Battle arrives in Bloomington from DME Sports Academy in Florida where she played her junior season after transferring from Rutgers Prep in New Jersey. The 6-foot guard is a ESPNw four-star and No. 32 nationally ranked recruit. At Rutgers Prep, she led her team to a New Jersey non-public B state championship in 2022 where she was named First Team All-Tournament. Since arriving at DME in 2023, she has led the program to 20-plus wins in each of her two seasons and is currently ranked as the No. 1 prep girls’ combo guard in the state of Florida. The Edison, N.J. native has averaged 16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game while already surpassing 1,000 career points and 500 rebounds.
Moren on Battle
“GiGi is a dynamic guard who plays with great poise and purpose. She can score at all three levels and takes real pride in defending. What stands out most about GiGi is her competitiveness. She plays to win and fits perfectly with the standards of our program.”
Zoe Jackson
Hailing from Oakville, N.S.W., Australia, Jackson will join the Hoosiers in early January 2026 as an early enrollee. The 6-foot-4 forward led Arndell Anglican College to five regional titles (2021-25) while winning gold at the National School’s Championships in 2023. She was the Arndell Athletic Sports Person of the Year for four straight years (2022-25) and was the 2023 Combined Schools’ Outstanding Achievement Award winner. Jackson has represented Australia on the international stage on four occasions from 2021-24 including gold medal wins at FIBA U15 Oceanic Cup and FIBA 2023 U16 Asian Cup. She was also part of the Australian team that finished fifth at 2024 U17 Basketball World Cup.
Moren on Jackson
“Zoe is a skilled and physical post player who brings great size and presence to the paint. She has strong hands, finishes well around the rim and plays with a steady, composed demeanor. Her international experience and work ethic will make her a great fit in our frontcourt.”
Ashlinn James
James, a native of nearby Louisville, Ky., has scored over 1,000 points in her high school career and played her junior season at Assumption High School where she was named a KHSAA Region 7 First Team All-Region selection. She averaged a team-high 12.2 points and 4.7 rebounds per game as a junior and helping Assumption to a 23-6 overall record. James played AAU with the West Virginia Thunder and is a ESPNw four-star and No. 64 nationally.
Moren on James
“Ashlinn’s athleticism and motor really stand out. She’s a dynamic guard who can attack off the bounce, impact the game defensively, and bring a spark every time she’s on the floor. Her potential to grow within our system is exciting, and we’re thrilled to welcome her to Bloomington.”
Addy Nyemchek
A 6-2 guard out of Oceanport, N.J., Nyemchek is the top-rated player out of the state of New Jersey, a ESPw four-star and the No. 28 nationally ranked recruit. During her time at Red Bank Catholic, she has guided the team to a 2024 New Jersey state championship and First Team All-State honors by scoring over 1,000 career points. She has been the leading scorer with Red Bank Catholic for the previous three years which consisted of six Division 1 committed players in her 2026 class. With the Philly Rise, Nyemchek was part of a NCAA Basketball Academy Club Championship in 2024 and U16 and U17 Gym Rat Live Tournament champion.
Moren on Nyemchek
“Addy’s versatility and feel for the game really stand out. She’s a guard who can score, facilitate and defend multiple positions. She’s the kind of player who impacts winning in a lot of ways. Her best basketball is still ahead of her, and we can’t wait to see her growth in Bloomington.”