### Breaking: Duke Women’s Basketball Secures Crown Jewel of 2026 Class with 5-Star Autumn Fleary Commitment
**DURHAM, N.C. – November 7, 2025** – In a seismic shift for women’s college basketball recruiting, Duke University women’s basketball has landed its most prized prospect yet: 5-star point guard Autumn Fleary, the No. 12 overall recruit in the class of 2026. The announcement, which Fleary teased on social media in mid-October before officially confirming, has sent shockwaves through the ACC and beyond, positioning the Blue Devils’ incoming class as the undisputed No. 1 in the nation.
Fleary, a 5-foot-7 dynamo from Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C., revealed her decision via an emotional Instagram Live on October 18, choosing Duke over a star-studded final four that included bitter ACC rival North Carolina, defending national champion LSU, and perennial powerhouse UCLA. “Duke felt like home from the moment I stepped on campus,” Fleary said in a post-commitment interview with ESPN. “Coach Kara Lawson and the entire staff treated me like family. It’s not just about basketball here—it’s about growth, sisterhood, and chasing championships. I’m ready to help bring Duke back to the top.”<grok:render card_id=”1a5376″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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The commitment caps a whirlwind week for head coach Kara Lawson, who just days earlier secured fellow 5-star Bella Flemings, the No. 16 recruit and a versatile small forward from Chicago. Together with earlier pledges from 4-star small forward Sanai Green (No. 25) and 4-star center Taylor Sofilkanich (No. 43), Fleary’s arrival vaults Duke’s 2026 class to the pinnacle of ESPN’s rankings, surpassing even Kentucky’s stacked group.<grok:render card_id=”04951d” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> Analysts from 247Sports and On3 have already dubbed it “the best haul in women’s hoops history,” praising Lawson’s ability to blend elite talent with cultural fit.<grok:render card_id=”ef0d0e” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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At just 17, Fleary is no stranger to the spotlight. A Baltimore native who burst onto the scene as a freshman at McDonogh School—where she earned Baltimore Sun All-Metro Player of the Year honors—Fleary transferred to Sidwell Friends for her junior year, joining a program renowned for its national rankings and Ivy League pipeline. Her game, a mesmerizing blend of creativity, speed, and defensive tenacity, has drawn comparisons to WNBA stars like Arike Ogunbowale for her downhill attacking style and vision.<grok:render card_id=”bd453c” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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This past summer, Fleary led Team Takeover to the Nike EYBL Championship, averaging a blistering 19.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game while dishing out highlight-reel passes that went viral on social media. “She’s the ultimate floor general,” said Team Takeover coach Dwayne Wise. “Autumn sees angles others don’t, pressures ball-handlers into turnovers, and scores at all three levels. Duke’s getting a steal.”<grok:render card_id=”e2043e” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> Her international pedigree is equally impressive: Fleary earned a spot on the USA Basketball U17 team, shining at trials in Colorado Springs with her ability to orchestrate fast breaks and lock down opponents in full-court presses.
What sets Fleary apart, however, is her two-way dominance. At 5-7, she lacks ideal size for a point guard, but compensates with lightning-quick hands and a 6-2 wingspan that disrupts passing lanes—skills that led to Sidwell Friends’ deep runs in national tournaments. Offensively, she’s a wizard with the dribble, capable of pull-up jumpers from 25 feet or no-look dimes in traffic. Her high school stats from last season: 22.4 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.8 steals per game, while shooting 42% from beyond the arc.
Duke’s pursuit of Fleary was methodical and relentless. Lawson, a former WNBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist who took over the program in 2022, hosted the guard for an official visit in early September. Sources close to the program say Fleary bonded instantly with current Duke junior Jadyn Donovan, another Sidwell Friends alum and Team Takeover product, who shared stories of thriving in Durham’s high-stakes environment.<grok:render card_id=”354ebb” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> “Jadyn told me about the family vibe and how Coach Lawson pushes you but always has your back,” Fleary recounted. The visit included a scrimmage with the varsity team, where Fleary dropped 18 points and five assists in a half, earning nods from assistants who whispered about her “pro-ready instincts.”
The recruitment wasn’t without drama. North Carolina, coached by Courtney Banghart, had been Fleary’s frontrunner after a Chapel Hill visit where she dined with Tar Heel legends like Ivory Latta. LSU’s Kim Mulkey pulled out all stops with a Baton Rouge barbecue and promises of immediate playing time in a post-Reese era, while UCLA’s Cori Close highlighted the Bruins’ beachside lifestyle and Pac-12 pedigree. But Duke’s pitch—elite academics (Fleary is eyeing a business major), a fast-rising program, and Lawson’s track record with point guards—sealed the deal.<grok:render card_id=”d329cd” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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For Duke fans, still buzzing from a 2024-25 season that saw the Blue Devils finish 24-9 and reach the Sweet 16, this is validation of Lawson’s vision. Entering the 2025-26 campaign as the preseason No. 7 in the AP Top 25 and No. 1 in the ACC coaches’ poll, Duke opens against a loaded non-conference slate, including a showdown with No. 2 South Carolina on November 15 at Cameron Indoor Stadium.<grok:render card_id=”d0073d” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> With returning stars like All-ACC guard Delaney Thomas and freshman sensation Emilee Skinner (Duke’s lone 2025 commit, ranked No. 4 nationally), the roster is primed for a title run. Fleary’s addition, even a year away, injects urgency.
“This class is special because it’s balanced—scorers, creators, defenders, all with that Duke grit,” Lawson said in a team statement. “Autumn embodies everything we build here: heart, hustle, and hunger. She’s not just a player; she’s a leader who’ll elevate everyone around her.”<grok:render card_id=”57e6ee” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> Lawson’s dual role as U.S. national team coach has amplified her appeal, drawing top talent eager for pro-level development. Fleary, who dreams of the WNBA (“I want to go as far as possible,” she told Rivals), cited Duke’s 80% player graduation rate and NIL opportunities as key factors.<grok:render card_id=”73a8b9″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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The ripple effects are immediate. Rival programs are scrambling: UNC’s snub stings particularly, given the Tobacco Road proximity and Fleary’s D.C. roots. LSU and UCLA, both eyeing reloaded backcourts, must pivot to remaining targets like 5-star guards Taliah Scott or Sienna Betts. Meanwhile, Duke’s 2026 class now boasts four top-50 recruits, with whispers of a fifth—possibly 4-star wing Ariana Roberson—on the horizon.<grok:render card_id=”d304dc” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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Social media erupted post-announcement. Fleary’s Instagram post, featuring her in a Duke hoodie overlooking Cameron Indoor, garnered 50,000 likes in hours, with comments from WNBA vets like Sue Bird (“Future is bright in Durham!”) and current Blue Devil Reigan Richardson (“Can’t wait to see you ball out!”). On X (formerly Twitter), #FlearyToDuke trended nationwide, with fans memeing the Tar Heels’ heartbreak and hailing Lawson’s “recruiting sorcery.”<grok:render card_id=”ccd6c9″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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As the season tips off next week, Duke’s “Sisterhood” is stronger than ever. Fleary, set to enroll in summer 2026, represents more than a commitment—she’s a statement. In an era of transfer portals and NIL wars, Lawson’s old-school emphasis on relationships has yielded a new golden age. For the Blue Devils, the path to another Final Four feels shorter, the Cameron Crazies louder, and the future, quite simply, electric.
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