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NO Duke Women’s Recruiting: Kara Lawson Gets a 2026 Commitment
Durham, NC — With the 2025-26 college basketball season still on the horizon, Duke Blue Devils head coach Kara Lawson has already scored big on the recruiting trail, landing her first commitment in the Class of 2026. The verbal pledge comes from five-star shooting guard Amiyah Green, a dynamic 6-foot-1 standout from Houston, Texas, who is widely considered one of the top ten prospects in the country.
Lawson, known for her player-first approach and ability to develop talent at the collegiate level, continues to build a program that can contend with the sport’s elite. Green’s commitment serves as a strong message to the rest of the NCAA — the Blue Devils are in it for the long haul, and they’re not just chasing relevance, they’re chasing championships.
Green announced her commitment via social media on Wednesday afternoon, posting a short video in Duke’s signature royal blue and white, with the caption: “I’m ready to make history. Let’s go Duke #TheDevilIsInTheDetails.” Within minutes, the post had gone viral across women’s basketball circles.
The announcement marks a significant recruiting victory for Lawson and her staff. Green had offers from UConn, South Carolina, LSU, Stanford, and Tennessee, but ultimately chose Duke after multiple visits to Durham and ongoing communication with Lawson’s coaching staff. Her final decision came down to Duke and UConn — two programs with vastly different histories but similarly high expectations.
“I chose Duke because I believe in Coach Lawson, her vision, and the way she empowers her players,” Green told ESPNW after her commitment. “She’s a coach who genuinely wants you to grow on and off the court, and I want to be a part of that.”
For those who haven’t yet heard her name, Amiyah Green is not your average high school basketball player. She plays for Cypress Ridge High School and is a star on the EYBL circuit with Team CyFair Elite. In her junior season, she averaged 22.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.3 steals per game while shooting over 48% from the field and 38% from three-point range.
She is known for her elite scoring ability, court vision, and defensive tenacity. But what truly separates Green from her peers is her competitive fire — she’s often described as a “killer on the court,” capable of taking over games at will.
“She reminds me of a young Skylar Diggins-Smith with a little bit of Kelsey Plum in her,” said one national scout. “She has that ‘it’ factor — the confidence, the IQ, and the ability to rise to any occasion.”
Kara Lawson continues to prove she is not just a former WNBA star or a popular media figure — she is a rising force in the college basketball coaching world. Since taking over at Duke in 2020, Lawson has transformed the program from a middle-of-the-pack ACC contender into a national storyline.
Her recruiting has been central to that rise. The 2024 and 2025 classes were both ranked in the top 15 nationally. Now, with Green’s early commitment for 2026, Lawson is showing that she can also plan long-term — a must for sustaining success.
“She’s building something special here,” said assistant coach Tia Jackson. “We’re not just bringing in talent — we’re building a culture where elite players can thrive. Amiyah saw that and wanted in.”
Duke is expected to return a strong core for the 2025–26 season, including multiple former McDonald’s All-Americans. With Green joining in the fall of 2026, the Blue Devils could field their most talented roster under Lawson’s leadership.
More importantly, this commitment signals Duke’s growing relevance on the national recruiting landscape. For decades, Duke has been a powerhouse in men’s basketball, but the women’s program has often lived in the shadows. That’s changing fast.
Amiyah Green is the kind of player who can elevate a program’s national profile. She brings attention, fan engagement, NIL potential, and championship expectations.
“She’s a game-changer,” said longtime ACC analyst Debbie Antonelli. “Duke is no longer a program that top players are politely declining — now they’re choosing Duke, and that’s a huge shift.”
Before Kara Lawson’s arrival, Duke women’s basketball was respectable but not elite. Despite having notable alumni like Alana Beard and Chelsea Gray, the Blue Devils lacked consistent success in March and struggled to break through in a highly competitive ACC.
Under Lawson’s guidance, Duke has improved each season. In 2022-23, they finished with a 26-7 record, making it to the NCAA Sweet 16. The following season, they broke through to the Elite Eight before falling to eventual national champion South Carolina. And in 2024-25, expectations are even higher, with multiple preseason top-10 projections.
Lawson’s focus on player development, accountability, and empowerment has resonated with recruits and current players alike. She’s created a team-first culture rooted in defense, discipline, and mental toughness — traits that mirror her playing career.
One of the biggest reasons Green cited for choosing Duke was Kara Lawson’s approach to leadership. Lawson has built a reputation for giving her players ownership of their development while challenging them intellectually.
“You can tell Coach Lawson isn’t just coaching for wins — she’s coaching for life,” said Green. “She holds you accountable, but she also believes in you. That matters.”
Lawson frequently brings in guest speakers, including leaders from the business world, military, and professional sports. She’s known for emphasizing mental resilience — something that has defined Duke’s play style in close games.
This emphasis on the “whole athlete” is part of what makes the program so attractive to recruits like Green.
Another key factor in Green’s commitment was Duke’s evolving Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) infrastructure. While not as flashy as LSU’s or as storied as UConn’s, Duke has built a sustainable NIL ecosystem around its athletes — particularly in women’s basketball.
The university’s location in a major media market, plus its academic prestige, offers long-term brand value. NIL collectives and local sponsorships are increasingly available to women’s players, and the program’s social media presence has been growing steadily.
“Duke gives you the platform to succeed both now and in the future,” said Green. “They’re investing in us.”
Green’s early commitment could serve as a domino effect. Duke is also in the mix for several other high-level 2026 recruits, including:
- Jayla Simmons, a 6-foot-3 post player from California
- Renee Washington, a speedy point guard from Atlanta
- Brynn Matthews, a versatile wing from Indiana
By landing Green early, Duke has positioned itself as a desirable destination for complementary stars. Her presence alone could sway other elite recruits who want to play alongside a high-level guard in a system that values defense, spacing, and player freedom.
“Players want to play with players,” said Lawson. “And Amiyah is the kind of player that others gravitate toward.”
Duke women’s basketball is no longer just a footnote to the university’s storied men’s program. With Kara Lawson at the helm, the Blue Devils are becoming a national force — one high-level recruit at a time.
Amiyah Green’s commitment is more than just a future roster boost. It’s a program-defining moment that reaffirms Lawson’s vision and proves that elite players now see Duke as a legitimate destination.
For Lawson, this is just the beginning.
“We’re building something here that’s bigger than basketball,” she said. “This is about excellence in every form. Amiyah believes in that — and we believe in her.”
With the 2026 recruiting cycle just beginning, one thing is clear: the devil is in the details, and the details are starting to look like titles.
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