Emily Forrester, a 6‑foot‑3 forward from Saint James Academy High School in Virginia, has committed to the Rutgers women’s basketball program for the 2027 recruiting class, becoming the first pledge of that cycle.
Coach Redus’s First Commitment
Her decision came after an official visit to Rutgers on the weekend, during which she joined three other prospective players who also took campus tours, marking a busy recruitment day for the Scarlet Knights.
The commitment underscores the early impact of new head coach Gary Redus II, who takes the reins of the program and will now have a top‑rated recruit to build around as he shapes his first class.
Forrester’s recruiting profile is elite: ESPN assigned her a 92 scout grade and four stars, placing her 77th nationally, while Rivals and 247 Sports left her unranked, highlighting the breadth of evaluation sources.
Having spent the summer with Team Durant on the EYBL Circuit, she showcased the length that evaluators repeatedly praised, a trait that should translate well to the collegiate game.
She narrowed her choice to Rutgers over competing offers from Tulsa, Marquette and Missouri, a decision influenced by the program’s direction under Redus and the opportunity to contribute early.
The 2027 class, the first under Redus, is already shaping up to be a promising cohort, with Forrester’s arrival signaling a strong start for the Scarlet Knights’ rebuilding effort.