When two of college basketball’s biggest names show up courtside, you know something special is about to happen. Dawn Staley and Kim Mulkey didn’t travel to Chicago for the scenery. They came to watch two five-star prospects tear up Nike Nationals, and Autumn Fleary and Haylen Ayers delivered exactly what these championship coaches were hoping to see.
Why Are Dawn Staley and Kim Mulkey Both Targeting These 2026-2027 Stars?
Team Takeover’s semifinal victory over Tennessee Flight turned into a recruiting showcase, with both prospects putting up identical 21-point performances that had coaches taking notes. Autumn Fleary, the 5’7″ guard from Pomfret, Maryland, sits as the No. 10 prospect in the 2026 class, according to 247 Sports, and showed exactly why Mulkey made the trip.
Fleary’s game fits Mulkey’s system perfectly. Her crafty drives to the basket create scoring chances not just for herself but for teammates around her. The way she leads Team Takeover’s press defense shows the kind of intensity LSU thrives on. That defensive energy, combined with her ability to break down opponents off the dribble, explains why Mulkey has made Fleary such a priority.
Meanwhile, Haylen Ayers represents everything Staley loves in a recruit. The 2027 class standout matched Fleary’s 21 points despite playing for the losing team, showing the kind of competitive fire that translates to championship programs. Her skill set covers all the bases: shooting, patient playmaking, and rebounding from the perimeter.
How Did Fleary’s LSU Visit Change This Recruiting Battle?
The relationship between Fleary and LSU hit a turning point during her March official visit to Baton Rouge. That weekend changed everything. She connected with the current roster, spent one-on-one time with Mulkey, and got a full taste of what LSU basketball culture offers. The photoshoot experience showed her how the program celebrates its players.
That visit paid off big time for Mulkey. LSU had actually dropped off Fleary’s list last October, but the Tigers fought their way back into her final four alongside North Carolina, UCLA, and Duke. That’s the kind of recruiting persistence that wins championship-level players.
Mulkey’s hands-on approach includes regular weekend check-ins with Fleary, showing the personal attention that separates elite programs from everyone else. Her performance at Nike Nationals, where she consistently created plays under pressure, proved why Mulkey was sitting courtside ready to compete with blue-blood programs like North Carolina.
On the flip side, Ayers represents the kind of versatile talent Staley has built South Carolina’s dynasty around. Her ability to impact games on both ends of the court, especially in high-pressure moments like Nike Nationals, fits exactly what the Gamecocks look for. Staley knows that players who can perform when the lights are brightest are the ones who win championships.
The contrast in coaching styles adds another layer to this battle. Mulkey’s relentless, personal approach with Fleary shows one way to build relationships with elite recruits. Staley, meanwhile, can point to South Carolina’s recent dominance and three NCAA titles as proof of what happens when top prospects trust her system.
Both Fleary and Ayers raised the stakes with their Nike Nationals performances, and their eventual decisions will shift the balance of power in the SEC and beyond. As the tournament continues, the presence of both Staley and Mulkey sends a clear message: this recruiting battle is just getting started, and these two prospects hold the keys to their programs’ futures.