OU Women’s Basketball Signs Two Standout Prospects for 2025 Recruiting Class
NORMAN, Okla. – University of Oklahoma head women’s basketball coach Jennie Baranczyk announced on Friday the signing of two standout prospects for the 2025 recruiting class, further strengthening the program’s future as they continue to make a significant impact on the national stage.
Vann, a Four-Star Guard from Bethany HS (Okla.)
The first commitment comes from Vann, a four-star guard from Bethany High School in Oklahoma. Ranked as the No. 1 player in the state and the 46th-best player in the nation by ESPN, Vann has been a standout in high school basketball. Last season, she averaged 18.9 points, 5.3 assists, and 5.3 steals per game, playing a pivotal role in leading Bethany to a state championship. Vann’s exceptional performance earned her the MVP award of the Class 4A Oklahoma State Tournament after averaging 15.7 points per game during the title run.
Vann, who also played under current OU assistant coach during her freshman year at Norman High School, is an Adidas 3SSB All-American. Her family legacy adds even more intrigue to her recruitment, as she is the younger sister of current Sooner standout Skylar Vann.
Caya Smith, a Versatile Wing from Putnam City West HS (Okla.)
The second signee is Caya Smith, a consensus four-star wing from Putnam City West High School in Oklahoma. Standing at 6’1″, Smith is ranked No. 70 in the nation and No. 9 among wings in the 2024 class. She led Putnam City West to the Class 6A state tournament and a conference championship, earning the conference’s Most Valuable Player award from The Oklahoman. As a junior, she averaged 13.2 points per game, guiding her team to the Class 6A semifinals while earning a Super 5 third-team selection by The Oklahoman.
Smith also excelled on the AAU circuit, where she played alongside Vann on the Lady Jets Elite team. A dual-sport athlete, she claimed the Class 6A long jump state championship last season, showcasing her incredible athleticism.
A Historic Recruiting Class
The signings of Vann and Smith mark a significant achievement for Baranczyk and the Sooners. These two top-100 prospects are the third and fourth signees from Oklahoma under Baranczyk. This is the first time since 2016 that Oklahoma has signed two top-70 prospects in the same class, and just the second time since 2019 that the program has inked a pair of top-100 players.
Coach Baranczyk’s leadership has brought the program to new heights, including NCAA Tournament appearances in each of her first three seasons and a Big 12 Championship in 2023—the program’s first since 2009.
“The addition of these two players adds tremendous talent and depth to our program,” Baranczyk said. “We are excited to welcome them to the Sooner family, and we know they will make an immediate impact both on and off the court.”
With these two key recruits joining a roster that has already seen remarkable success under Baranczyk, the future of Oklahoma women’s basketball looks incredibly bright.
The No. 25-ranked Sooners, who are undefeated this season, will return to action on Sunday, Nov. 19, at Virginia, as they continue to build on their success under Coach Baranczyk.