🚨 BREAKING SHOCKER: Mountaineers Land Two Five-Star Recruits in Program-Altering Move Under Coach Mark Kellogg 🚨
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Just months after leading West Virginia to a thrilling Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, Head Coach Mark Kellogg has shaken the college basketball world again—this time with ink and pen. In a stunning announcement early Thursday morning, Kellogg revealed the signing of two elite five-star prospects, each ranked in the top 10 nationally, sending shockwaves across the women’s basketball landscape.
The duo—Jayla Monroe, a 6’2″ dynamic wing from Chicago with WNBA-level scoring instincts, and Amara Tui, a 6’4″ New Zealand-born forward known for her elite rebounding and defensive versatility—have officially committed to don the Gold and Blue for the 2025–26 season. Both players turned down offers from perennial powerhouses including UConn, South Carolina, LSU, and Stanford, citing Kellogg’s vision, culture, and player-first philosophy.
> “We’re building something real here. It’s not hype—it’s hunger, heart, and a shared mission,” said Kellogg at the press conference held inside a packed WVU Coliseum. “This program is on the rise—and we’re just getting started.”
Monroe, a three-time Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year, brings elite shot creation, a 45% three-point stroke, and an on-court swagger that has drawn comparisons to Arike Ogunbowale. She’s been the No. 1 trending name on women’s hoops Twitter ever since her “This is Home Now” Instagram post showing her draped in a WVU jersey.
Tui, meanwhile, is a defensive anchor and Olympic prospect who stunned scouts at the FIBA U19 World Cup. Her decision to come stateside was initially thought to favor Stanford or Oregon—until Kellogg’s late international recruiting push sealed the deal.
> “Coach Kellogg didn’t just recruit me—he understood me,” said Tui. “I wanted to be part of a movement, not just a program.”
The Mountaineers, already returning three starters from last season’s Sweet 16 team, are now viewed by analysts as legitimate Final Four contenders. ESPN’s LaChina Robinson called the double signing “the most impactful recruiting win in WVU women’s basketball history.”
Social media erupted within minutes. #KelloggEra trended No. 3 nationwide, with fans flooding comment sections to welcome the new stars. Former Mountaineer greats, including Bria Holmes and Teana Muldrow, shared their excitement, declaring this the start of a new dynasty in Morgantown.
As the Mountaineers gear up for a national non-conference schedule featuring LSU, Iowa, and Texas, anticipation is at an all-time high. Season ticket sales jumped 48% in 24 hours. WVU’s women’s program is no longer a sleeper—it’s a storm, and it’s coming fast.
> “This team will play fast, fearlessly, and together,” Kellogg said with a confident grin. “West Virginia women’s basketball isn’t chasing anyone. We’re setting the pace now.”
With momentum, marquee talent, and a coach who refuses to blink, one thing is certain: women’s hoops in Morgantown just became must-see TV.
