In a monumental achievement that has the entire Tennessee Volunteer community buzzing with pride, five incoming freshmen for the Lady Vols basketball program have earned the prestigious Gatorade Player of the Year honors in their respective states. As the confetti settles on high school hardwoods across the country, the message is loud and clear: the future of women’s college basketball runs through Knoxville.
This historic recognition is not just a feather in the cap for head coach Kim Caldwell—it is a roaring signal to the rest of the SEC and the NCAA that Tennessee is assembling a dynasty. The Lady Vols are not only back; they are destined to become the fiercest force in the nation once again.
Who They Are: Meet the Five Gatorade Stars Headed to Knoxville
Each of these five athletes brings a unique skill set, championship mentality, and elite pedigree. Their selections as Gatorade Players of the Year underscore their individual brilliance, leadership qualities, and impact on and off the court. Let’s take a closer look at the newest stars of Rocky Top.
1. Mya Henderson – Gatorade Player of the Year, Texas
Position: Point Guard
Height: 5’11”
High School: Duncanville High School
Stats: 23.7 PPG, 6.2 APG, 3.4 SPG
Nicknamed “The General,” Mya Henderson is a floor commander with an exceptional feel for the game. Her poise under pressure, elite court vision, and ability to create offense out of thin air made her the top high school guard in Texas this past season. Leading her team to a state championship, she averaged nearly a double-double in points and assists during the postseason and earned MVP honors.
What makes Henderson so lethal is her two-way excellence. She harasses opposing guards with suffocating defense and often turns steals into transition buckets. Off the court, she volunteers at youth clinics in Dallas and maintains a 3.9 GPA—embodying the values of the Gatorade award.
Caldwell couldn’t be more thrilled. “She’s the heartbeat of this class,” the coach said. “She sets the tone with her energy, discipline, and will to win.”
2. Katelyn Rivers – Gatorade Player of the Year, Georgia
Position: Shooting Guard
Height: 6’0”
High School: McEachern High School
Stats: 27.1 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 42% from 3
Rivers is Tennessee’s sniper, and she arrives in Knoxville with a reputation as one of the deadliest shooters in the nation. She drained over 110 three-pointers this season alone, breaking her school’s all-time record. A smooth operator off screens and in isolation, Rivers can pull up from NBA range and deliver daggers in crunch time.
But she’s not just a shooter. Rivers is an explosive athlete who rebounds well for her position and can take over games on both ends. A two-time All-State selection and a leader in her school’s anti-bullying initiative, she’s as complete a person as she is a player.
Tennessee fans already envision her pairing with Henderson as the backcourt duo of dreams. “You put those two together,” said one SEC scout, “and you might be looking at the future of women’s college basketball.”
3. Talia Johnson – Gatorade Player of the Year, Illinois
Position: Small Forward
Height: 6’2”
High School: Whitney Young Magnet High School
Stats: 19.5 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 4.1 BPG
Talia Johnson is a throwback Lady Vol—long, physical, and relentless. Her game echoes the legendary Tamika Catchings, and fans have noticed. Johnson led Whitney Young to a state title while averaging a double-double and swatting shots with an almost supernatural sense of timing.
Her defensive presence is elite, but what’s elevated her game is the addition of a reliable midrange jumper and improved handles. She is now a complete wing player who can attack, defend, and score at will.
A straight-A student and the president of her school’s student government, Johnson brings maturity and leadership to a locker room already brimming with talent. “She’s going to be a pillar in our program,” Caldwell stated. “Talia has a championship mindset.”
4. Brooke Simmons – Gatorade Player of the Year, North Carolina
Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’3”
High School: Millbrook High School
Stats: 20.8 PPG, 12.6 RPG, 2.8 BPG
Hailing from basketball-rich North Carolina, Simmons is a rebounding machine with a motor that never stops. Her tenacity on the boards earned her the nickname “The Engine” among local media. Dominating the paint on both ends, she posted a school-record 28 double-doubles this past season.
Simmons plays with fire—diving for loose balls, battling in the post, and bullying defenders under the basket. But she’s also evolving. With an improving three-point shot and high free-throw percentage, she’s becoming a stretch forward with WNBA potential.
Off the court, she’s an advocate for mental health in youth sports, speaking at multiple events and organizing mindfulness workshops. “Brooke’s toughness and grace are exactly what we value,” said Tennessee assistant coach Jennifer Sullivan.
5. Jasmine DuPont – Gatorade Player of the Year, Louisiana
Position: Center
Height: 6’6”
High School: John Curtis Christian School
Stats: 18.3 PPG, 13.0 RPG, 5.3 BPG
The anchor of the class, Jasmine DuPont is a true center with an intimidating interior presence. She finishes strong around the rim, protects the paint like a fortress, and can run the floor like a forward. In short, she’s a game-changer.
DuPont’s impact was undeniable as she led her high school to an undefeated season and a national ranking. Her shot-blocking instincts are elite, and her touch around the rim is silky smooth. Coaches love her footwork, balance, and ability to seal defenders for easy looks.
A vocal leader and peer mentor, DuPont also tutors middle school students in math and science and maintains a 4.0 GPA. “She’s a generational post player,” said Caldwell. “Jasmine gives us a foundation to dominate the glass for years.”
Coach Kim Caldwell’s Reaction: “A Legacy in the Making”
This haul of five Gatorade Players of the Year is unprecedented. Never before has Tennessee brought in this much high school hardware in one class, and for Coach Caldwell, it’s the culmination of strategic recruiting and a cultural reset focused on excellence.
“These five women are not only exceptional athletes—they are extraordinary human beings,” Caldwell said during a celebratory press conference. “They represent the Lady Vol legacy with grace, purpose, and fire. We’re not just building a team. We’re building a movement.”
Caldwell has promised a fast-paced, modernized offense and an aggressive defense rooted in old-school Lady Vol toughness. With these five players—each capable of playing immediately—those dreams are becoming reality.
Tennessee Fans React: “This Is Pat Summitt’s Dream Class”
Across social media and message boards, the reaction from Lady Vol Nation has been euphoric. Comparisons to past iconic classes are being drawn, with some calling this the best since Candace Parker’s arrival in 2004.
“This class is special,” tweeted former Lady Vol Kara Lawson. “Tennessee is back—and better than ever.”
Alumni have reached out to the new signees, welcoming them into a sisterhood that spans generations. Fans are already buying jerseys, lining up for meet-and-greets, and booking travel to watch these stars in their freshman campaigns.
The buzz has even caught the attention of ESPN and national recruiting analysts, many of whom now rank Tennessee’s class as the best in the country.
The Road Ahead: 2025 SEC and NCAA Championship Aspirations
With these five freshmen joining a roster that includes returning scorers, veteran leadership, and a proven coaching staff, expectations are sky-high. The SEC is more competitive than ever—but Tennessee has made a statement that it’s ready to rule again.
From elite backcourt shooting to interior dominance, Caldwell’s team is built to contend now and for years to come.
“Our goal isn’t just to make the tournament,” Henderson said confidently. “Our goal is to hang banners.”
That mindset is infectious. The legacy of Pat Summitt looms large in Knoxville, but these new Lady Vols don’t see it as pressure—they see it as privilege.
