Kellie Harper’s first signing class is official.
The early signing period for most college sports, women’s basketball included, began Wednesday. Missouri women’s basketball officially signed all five players who were verbally committed to its Class of 2026 by Thursday morning.
The group of five players now officially joining Harper’s first full high school class includes three four-star pledges, two of whom are among Rivals’ top-100 prospects in this class in the recruiting service’s industry rankings and one more who is in ESPN’s 2026 SportsCenter Next 100.
Mizzou (3-0) has started Harper’s first season at the helm with an unblemished record, defeating Arkansas State 97-75 on Tuesday night at Mizzou Arena. The Tigers’ next game is against Kansas for Border War on Saturday, Nov. 15 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.
Here’s who is coming to Mizzou in 2026, including prospect information and what Harper said about each player:
Jada Maples, combo guard
Maples is the No. 95 player in the Class of 2026 in Rivals’ industry rankings.
She hails from Earle, Arkansas, where she is ranked as the No. 2 player coming out of her state. She’s a combo guard listed at 5 foot 10
“Jada has a natural ability to finish through contact and is a savvy defender, which allows her to play at a high level on both ends of the floor,” Harper said in a social media post. “Jada’s self-discipline and competitive drive will make an immediate impact on our culture and program.”
Natalya Hodge, point guard
Hodge is widely considered Missouri’s top recruit in this cycle.
The 5-7 point guard is the No. 79 player in ESPN’s top-100 prospects in the Class of 2026, and she is the No. 54-ranked player nationally at Rivals.
Hodge plays at Bearden High in Knoxville, Tennessee. Harper, who previously coached Tennessee, has been recruiting Hodge since her time with the Lady Vols, according to KnoxNews. Hodge averaged 25.7 points and 3.9 steals per game last season.
“Natalya exemplifies toughness and is a relentless competitor,” Harper said. “Her speed and high-scoring ability fits our up-tempo offensive style, while her grit makes her a force on the defensive end. Natalya’s passion for the game is contagious, and I know our fans will love watching her compete. We’re thrilled to welcome a point guard whose fire and versatility perfectly fit our culture.”
Khloe Ford, center
Ford is the No. 94 player in ESPN’s top-100 rankings. She plays at Hoover High and is from Birmingham, Alabama. She has won a state title in all three years of her high school career.
The center is listed at 6-4 who the Montgomery Advertiser named as one of their top players to watch this season for the Miss Basketball title in Alabama.
“Khloe is a proven winner coming from a powerhouse program at Hoover where she’s already earned three state championships,” Harper said. “Her strong paint presence, paired with the ability to stretch the floor, makes her a perfect fit for our system. Rebounding is a major priority for us, and she brings exactly that with her toughness and instincts on the boards.”
Cecilie Brandimore, center
Brandimore was the first high school player to commit to Harper, announcing her verbal commitment to the Tigers back in July. She is a 6-3 center out of Franklin, Tennessee, near Nashville.
As a high school junior, according to the Tennessean, she averaged 24.9 points, 13.6 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game. She plays AAU basketball for Kentucky Premier on the 17U EYBL Circuit.
“Cecilie holds a special place in this class as she was our first 2026 commitment,” Harper said. “From the moment we spoke, I knew she reflected the Mizzou DNA and culture we are building here. Her pace, versatility and ability to stretch the floor make her a perfect fit for our system.”
Ellie Mueller, power forward
Mueller, who is from Des Moines, Iowa, is a 6-3 power forward who has been committed to the Tigers since July. She was Harper’s second pledge in this cycle.
She plays for the same AAU team, All Iowa Attack, as All-Star WNBA point guard Caitlin Clark. Mueller helped Dowling High reach the Iowa Class 5A title game last season. She averaged 16.5 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game before the tournament as a junior.
“Ellie has a terrific basketball IQ that will elevate our team on every possession,” Harper said. “Her offensive efficiency and decision-making, combined with her length defensively, allow her to impact the game on both ends of the floor.”
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri women’s basketball signs 5 players in 2026 recruiting class
