DALLAS (SMU) – The SMU women's basketball program signed five high school prospects on Wednesday, National Signing Day.

Four-Star prospects Shania James and Zoe Osby, as well as Carmille Nesmith, Taryn Bond and local product Kaylin Jackson, all signed letters of commitment to play at SMU for the 2026-27 season. 

The class is Head Coach Adia Barnes' first recruiting class at SMU. Barnes, a former WBCA Coach of the Year Finalist and Naismith Coach of the Year Semifinalist, was named Head Women's Basketball Coach at SMU on April 5.

Shania James (5-6, G) | North Chicago, Ill. | Example Academy | Example Sports 
A four-star guard ranked No.78 on ESPNW top 100 and listed as the No. 69 player and No.2 in the state of Illinois on rivals. James, a native of North Chicago, Illinois, attended Example Academy and also played for the Example Sports AAU team. As a junior, she was named her league's MVP and crossed the 1,000 point threshold. James helped lead Example Academy to three national championships in her career.

"I chose SMU because of the consistency of the coaching staff in my recruitment process," James said. "I felt they had a good understanding of my game and were committed to helping me develop into my best self. Coach Adia knows what it takes to get to the National Championship and I'm excited to be a part of her doing it again!"  

Zoe Osby (6-1, F) | Bladensburg, Md. | Elizabeth Seton School | Team Takeover
A four-star forward ranked No.98 on ESPNW's top 100 and listed as the fourth-best player in the state of Maryland by Prep Girls Hoops. Osby most recently attended Elizabeth Seton High School, while she also played for Team Takeover on the AAU circuit. A multi-year all-conference player who also won the U17 2025 Nike EYBL Championship with Team Takeover.

"I chose SMU because SMU offers everything I was looking for, like strong academics, a family-oriented culture, and a basketball program that will challenge me to be my best every single day," Osby said.
 
Camille Nesmith (6-3, C) | Washington, D.C. | St. John's College HS | Team Thrill
A native of Washington, D.C., Nesmith averaged 13 points and 9.0 rebounds per game as a junior at St. John's College High School. She earned WCAC Second Team honors, DCSAA Class AA First Team honors, and Washington Post All Metro honorable mention honors for her play. An Under Armour Future 60 and 2024 NCAA College Basketball Academy invitee, she averaged 13 points, 9.1 rebounds and totaled 14 double-doubles as a sophomore during the 2023-24 season. As a Freshman at River Hill High School, she earned Rookie of the Year Honors. A two-time All Howard County First Team honoree and was named to the 695 All-Freshman team.

"I chose SMU because I immediately felt a strong connection with the coaches, players, and staff," Nesmith said.  "I was looking for a school that offers both high academics and a competitive atmosphere. SMU has endless opportunities and it's a program where I know I'll grow not only as a player but as a person too."

Taryn Bond (5-7, G) | Cairns, Australia | St Monica's College HS | NBL1 Cairns Dolphins 
A native of Cairns, Australia, Bond played two years with the Cairns Dolphins in the NBL1 and was named defensive player of the year in his first season. Bond helped lead her team to back-to-back U16 Queensland National Championships appearances in 2023 and 2024 and earned a bronze medal in 2023.  Made two more appearances at the U18 Queensland National Championships in 2024 and 2025, placing fifth in 2025. In the 2025 tournament, she was ranked as the No.1 player heading into the tournament. Was selected to the Basketball Without Borders Asia camp in Singapore hosted by the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). Was also selected for FIBA U17 Oceania Championships with the Australian National Team. Bond also earned 2025 Sportswoman of the Year honors while at St. Monica's College.

"I chose SMU because of the success of the coaching staff and the amount of potential they see in me, which can help me achieve the goals I want to achieve," Bond said. "I also feel that the team's playing style is a perfect match for me, and I can't wait to be a part of something special."  

Kaylin Jackson (6-2, F) | Denton, Texas | Denton Ryan HS
A native of Denton, Texas, Jackson won the 2024-25 5A Division 1 title with Denton Ryan, scoring 24 points and hauling in eight rebounds in the state championship game and was named MVP of the game. It was Denton Ryan's first-ever state title. The Denton Record-Chronicle named Jackson the All-Area Most Valuable Player after averaging 12 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.2 blocks and 2.1 steals per game. She was named District 6-5A's Co-Defensive Player of the Year and earned a TABC all-state selection as well.

"I chose SMU because the chemistry of the program is unmatched," Jackson said.  "It feels like a second home for me"