News Summary

The Missouri women’s basketball team has secured its first commitment for the Class of 2026 with 6-foot-3 center Cecilie Brandimore from Tennessee. This commitment marks a significant moment for Coach Kellie Harper as Brandimore becomes the first high school player to pledge her future to Missouri in this recruiting cycle. Brandimore averaged impressive stats in high school, positioning her as a pivotal addition to the Tigers’ roster, which seeks to strengthen its frontcourt for upcoming seasons.

Missouri Welcomes New Giant: Cecilie Brandimore Commits to Women’s Basketball

In an exciting development for the Mizzou community, the Missouri women’s basketball team has officially secured its first commitment for the Class of 2026! Standing tall at an impressive 6-foot-3, center Cecilie Brandimore has decided to join the ranks of the Tigers, making waves with her announcement shared on her social media account. This commitment marks a significant milestone, as it is the very first high school player to pledge her future to Missouri in this recruiting cycle.

A New Era Under Coach Kellie Harper

This announcement is especially noteworthy because it’s also the first high school commitment for Coach Kellie Harper since stepping into her role as the head coach of Missouri. Harper, previously at the University of Tennessee, has been busy in her first season, bringing in seven athletes through the transfer portal for the upcoming season. However, it’s been a unique situation for the Tigers, with no true freshmen on the roster this year, which means Brandimore’s commitment shines even brighter.

Brandimore, hailing from Franklin, Tennessee, has expressed her gratitude regarding the recruiting process, emphasizing the blessings and opportunities that have come her way. The rising star also took a moment to thank the coaching staff for their belief in her ability and gave a spirited shoutout to her future teammates with a cheerful “GO TIGERS!” in her commitment announcement.

Impressive Stats and Talents

While currently not featured in the prestigious ESPNW 100 rankings for girls’ basketball recruiting, Brandimore has established herself as a consistent standout at the high school level. Last season, she showcased her skills with an impressive average of 24.9 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game! Such statistics have not gone unnoticed, as she earned a coveted spot on the first-team All-Midstate Large Class honors by the Tennessean.

Brandimore also competes in AAU basketball for the Kentucky Premier on the 17U EYBL Circuit, where she further hones her skills and continues to impress coaches and scouts alike. The Tigers will undoubtedly benefit from her addition, as they seek to bolster their frontcourt presence, a crucial area that currently lacks depth.

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Mizzou

The Tigers’ roster sees only one center in newcomer Joranda Reisma from Cleveland State, who will sadly be aging out of eligibility after the 2025-26 season. Recognizing this gap, Brandimore’s commitment not only fulfills a roster need but also signals an optimistic future for Mizzou women’s basketball.

Since Kellie Harper took over as head coach on March 18, 2025, she has made it a priority to cultivate a strong culture at Mizzou, focusing on the development of high school players and aiming to rebuild after previous roster challenges. Harper’s rich history in collegiate athletics, featuring a remarkable 393-260 overall record and 16 postseason appearances in her 20-year career, speaks volumes about her skills as a recruiter and coach.

In her previous roles, she’s successfully coached four future WNBA first-round picks and led numerous ranked recruiting classes. Her experience within the Southeastern Conference only adds to her value, given her own achievements as an All-American player at the University of Tennessee during a championship-winning era.

As the Missouri women’s basketball team continues to evolve and strengthen, Brandimore’s addition is surely a sign of the exciting times ahead for the Tigers. The coming seasons will reveal the true impact of her commitment, but one thing is clear: Mizzou’s future on the court is looking very bright!

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