A brilliant performance at Nike Nationals has reshaped the recruiting scene for one of women’s basketball’s top prospects. Now, point guard Autumn Fleary is set to make a final decision after making official visits to Duke, LSU, and other programs.
Which Way is Autumn Fleary Leaning?
Fleary is the most recent prospect the Tar Heels have hosted, and she told Rivals that she’s nearing a decision. North Carolina was the final official visit for the point guard after visiting LSU, Duke, and UCLA. According to sources, the Tar Heels have a strong chance of landing Fleary. The Tigers are reportedly the other school that is keeping a close eye on her.
She has snagged the attention of college recruiters to the extent that she is now one of the most desired 2026 class picks. Her staying power has notably been put forward during the EYBL circuit, where she regularly demonstrated top-notch playing insight and scoring skill.
Dawn Staley and Kim Mulkey watched these 5⭐️ recruits put on a show 🔥
-Autumn Fleary: 21 points
-Haylen Ayers: 21 points
Team Takeover secured a victory over Tennessee Flight to advance to the Nike Nationals semifinal. pic.twitter.com/a845mu5bz5
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) July 20, 2025
Fleary’s performance at Nike Nationals proved to be a defining moment. Playing for Team Takeover, she delivered back-to-back spectacular performances while college coaches watched from the sidelines. Her 21-point performance in the competition caught the attention of many, including South Carolina’s Dawn Staley and LSU’s Kim Mulkey, who were courtside scouting talent.
The championship game indeed took Fleary’s performance to another level. She was outstanding with 24 points, guiding her team to the Nike Nationals crown while earning tournament MVP honors. Her exceptional shooting and leadership under pressure got the attention of scouts throughout the entire event.
Who Are the Favorites for Fleary?
North Carolina appears well-positioned after hosting Fleary’s final official visit. Coach Courtney Banghart and her staff made a strong impression during the June visit to Chapel Hill. The timing of being her last stop could work in the Tar Heels’ favor as she weighs her options.
Duke remains a serious contender, leveraging their academic reputation and basketball tradition. The Blue Devils have maintained consistent contact throughout her recruitment process, making their case for why Durham would be the perfect fit.
Meanwhile, UCLA represents the West Coast option for Fleary. The Bruins have emphasized their development of point guards and winning culture under coach Cori Close, offering a different environment from the East Coast programs.
LSU continues to push for Fleary, although the interest from her doesn’t appear to be strong. Mulkey’s program has shown persistence in its pursuit, working to convince Fleary that Baton Rouge is the right fit for her college career.