The Pitt Panthers made a significant move in the women's basketball world this week, landing Nylah Wilson, the top recruit in the program's history. Wilson, a highly coveted five-star prospect, officially committed to Pitt on March 19, 2025, marking an important milestone for the program as it aims to enhance its competitive standing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Wilson expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, stating, "Grateful for the opportunity to recommit to the University of Pittsburgh—excited for what’s ahead! #H2P #Blessed." This emotional commitment comes after a brief stint of uncertainty as she decommitted from Auburn earlier this month.
Wilson, hailing from Chester, Virginia, previously played for Thomas Dale High School, where she led her team with impressive averages of 21.0 points, 4.0 assists, 3.6 steals, and 5.3 rebounds per game. Her outstanding performance helped propel Thomas Dale to a remarkable 24-2 record and a VHSL State Final appearance.
For her senior year, Wilson transferred to the highly regarded IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. At IMG, she competed alongside numerous elite recruits, including fellow five-stars Deniya Prawl, Lara Somfai, and Kelis Fisher. Wilson stood out during her time with the Boo Williams 17U team, excelling in the Nike EYBL Circuit and establishing her reputation as a dynamic scorer who thrives when driving to the hoop.
Despite initially cutting Pitt from her list of finalists—which included Arizona, Auburn, Baylor, Penn State, and Texas A&M—Wilson made the pivotal decision to recommit to Pitt after the coaching changes at Auburn motivated her to reopen her recruitment. She originally made her commitment to Auburn on November 9, 2024, but after decommitting on March 10, it became apparent that Pitt was where she was meant to be.
"Nylah Wilson is the highest-rated recruit in Pitt WBB program history," said Josh Rowntree of 93.7 The Fan, underlining the significance of her commitment. Wilson's exceptional skills have placed her in the limelight, with ESPN HoopGurlz listing her as a five-star prospect and the 28th best recruit in the nation. While 247Sports ranks her as the No. 59 player overall, they position her as the No. 3 combo guard and No. 10 in Florida, while On3 has her at No. 34 nationally.
Currently, the Pitt women's basketball program is gearing up for a transformative season with Wilson joining a robust commitment class of eight players. This class features a mix of players, including five international recruits: Jayda Queely and Megan Hollingsworth from Canada, Divine Tumba Tshibuabua, Meredith Venner from Colombia, and Angela Le Faou from Spain/France.
Wilson's commitment is particularly crucial as Pitt looks to recover from a challenging 2024-2025 season, where they finished with a 13-19 overall record and a disappointing 5-13 in ACC play. The Panthers had a home record of 9-7 and struggled on the road, going 4-8. They entered the ACC Tournament as the No. 15 seed but fell in the first round to the tenth-seeded Virginia Cavaliers, losing 64-50. Adding a player of Wilson's caliber will undoubtedly bolster the team as they aim to improve next season.
The excitement surrounding Wilson's decision also comes amidst changes in the roster. Star player Khadija Faye recently declared for the WNBA Draft, leaving a significant gap for the team to fill. With Wilson now onboard, expectations are high for her to step into a vital role on the team and help rejuvenate the program.
As Pitt head coach Tory Verdi enters his third year at the helm, the commitment from Nylah Wilson represents a critical step in building the program to new heights. The Panthers are aiming not only to strengthen their roster but also to create an identity for Pitt women's basketball that resonates with both current fans and future recruits.
With the potential showcased by Wilson and her fellow recruits, the upcoming season could be a turning point for the Pitt women's basketball program. All eyes will be on Wilson to see how she translates her high school and AAU success into collegiate performance.
Pitt fans have reason to be excited. The future is indeed looking bright with Nylah Wilson leading the charge for the Panthers.
