Jayla Forbes, the No. 13 player and second-ranked post in the girls' SC Next class of 2027, announced Thursday her commitment to Texas. She is the fifth five-star of the class to commit for the 2027-28 season and the Longhorns' first for the cycle, choosing Texas over Notre Dame, UCLA, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, California and Mississippi State.

"The opportunity to compete in one of the best conferences in college basketball and challenge myself against the highest level of competition is something that I know I wanted early in my process," Forbes told ESPN. She cited Vic Schaefer's proven blueprint for developing post players and the program's culture of excellence. Forbes, who plans to transfer from Montverde Academy to IMG Academy, is mobile for her size with good hands and an ability to stretch the floor, drawing comparisons to Kyla Oldacre and Teaira McCowan.

Forbes averaged 16.2 points and 9 rebounds on the Nike EYBL circuit with Her Elite, shooting 64.6% from the field, and helped Team USA win the U18 FIBA Ameri Cup in Irapuato, Mexico. Texas, coming off a second consecutive Final Four appearance, returns All-American Madison Booker and welcomes the nation's third-ranked 2026 recruiting class featuring five-stars Addison Bjorn, Brihanna Crittendon, Aaliah Spaight, Joyce-Isi Etute and four-star Amalia Holguin.