Eve Long, a 6‑foot‑3 forward from Olathe, Kansas, has rapidly risen to national prominence after a high school career that culminated in a Gatorade Kansas Player of the Year award and a gold medal with Team USA at the 2025 FIBA Under‑16 AmeriCup.
A Recruit with a Global résumé
The recruit, ranked fifth overall in the Class of 2027, revealed her choice during a live‑streamed ceremony, stating that Notre Dame’s combination of academic rigor and a promising basketball program aligned with her long‑term goals.
Long’s decision marked a decisive rejection of both UConn and UCLA, programs that had been considered front‑runners for her signature. She joins a Fighting Irish roster that has been aggressively pursuing elite talent in recent recruiting cycles.
Her high school stats — averaging 32.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game while leading Olathe South to a 20‑5 record — place her among the most prolific scorers in recent state history. She also becomes the latest player to earn a spot on the Naismith Trophy Girls High School Player of the Year Midseason Team.
Beyond club and high school, Long’s international résumé includes a standout performance at the 2025 FIBA Under‑16 AmeriCup, where she posted 11.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per game and earned All‑Star Five honors. She is slated to attend Team USA’s U17 National Team trials in Colorado later this week.
The commitment reverberates through the recruiting landscape, as other top 2027 prospects such as Kaleena Smith, Ivanna Wilson‑Manyacka and Hayden Ayers remain undecided, keeping powerhouse programs like Duke, Kentucky, Texas and Vanderbilt in active pursuit.