Shakira Austin commits to Maryland women’s basketball: Terps land the 5th-best 2018 recruit

After its 100-81 win over Iowa on Sunday, Maryland women’s basketball received a commitment from forward Shakira Austin, the No. 5 overall recruit in the Class of 2018.

Austin is a 6’5 forward from Colinial Forge High School in Virginia. She’s the top prospect in the state and the second-best post player in the class, according to ESPN’s HoopGurlz rankings.

She becomes the second Maryland commit in the class, joining 5’9 point guard Taylor Mikesell, ranked No. 22 overall. The Terps are one of only two teams to have multiple top-25 commits, joining Notre Dame (although 14 of the top 25 remain uncommitted, including all four players ranked ahead of Austin).

The Terps don’t have any recruits lined up in the Class of 2017, but the addition of transfer Eleanna Christinaki and returns of Kiara Leslie and Aja Ellison should still help the team have a different look after seniors Brionna Jones and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough leave. Maryland had a six-player class in 2016, so skipping a year isn’t totally surprising.

When Austin joins the team for the 2018-19 season, she’ll be part of a frontcourt that includes Brianna Fraser, Kiah Gillespie, Stephanie Jones and Jenna Staiti.