2026 guard Ashlinn James commits to Indiana Hoosiers

Highly-recruited 2026 point guard Ashlinn James has committed to the Indiana Hoosiers, she told On3. She chose the Hoosiers over programs including Miami and Marquette. 

James came to Hoosier Hysteria on Friday night and told the staff of her commitment shortly after. The 5-foot-7 point guard out of Assumption High School in Kentucky is Indiana’s first commit in the 2026 class. 

“It was just everything from the jump,” James told On3. “It just felt like family, from when I first got on campus and when I met the coaching staff. I got to take a loop around the campus, and we talked a whole bunch. They texted me and called me consistently. When I brought my family up, they were very welcoming and my family loved them.”

James has formed close relationships with the coaching staff and former IU player Ali Patberg in particular. 

“I feel like my relationship is really tight, especially with Coach Ali and Coach Keyanna [Warthen], because I’ve talked to them the most, and they’re like best friends, of course. So anytime I come up there, I’m always around them too, especially Coach Ali, because that’s the first coach that I talked to and she’s the one who took me around campus. She talks to my dad a lot, and my family really loves her.”

But she’s also formed a great relationship with head coach Teri Moren. 

“It’s been great,” James said. “We text and we just talk in person a lot. I love it. She reminds me of my high school coach that I have now. I really like that because I like her style of play and the way she likes to lead her team on the court.”

James loves the Hoosiers style of play and can see herself thriving in their system. 

“I love how they’re very fast-paced and they have set plays, but not too many to where I can also attack,” James said. “I love that a lot, because I know I’m gonna have a lot of good teammates when I go there, and I feel like we’ll be able to do some good things.” 

Above all, James is excited for the family of Hoosiers she’ll be joining and the atmosphere at Assembly Hall.