This past week, Lady Vols basketball hosted a class of 2029 recruit on an unofficial visit. On Tuesday, July 21, Laine Lyles was in Knoxville to see Kim Caldwell and her Tennessee program in person.
Lyles is currently 15 years old, with Caldwell and her staff looking to leave an early positive impression. She’s already one of the highest-recruited prospects in the 2029 cycle, with Arizona State, Ohio State, Purdue, Louisville, Virginia Tech, Michigan State, Michigan, Illinois, Notre Dame, Clemson, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Georgia already extending offers.
Lyles picked up her Tennessee offer on July 14 ahead of her unofficial visit. Once getting to campus, she got to meet the entire staff, including Caldwell, and her crew of assistant coaches.
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Lyles plays for Culver Academy in Indiana and for West Virginia Thunder in AAU. She stands at 5-foot-10, giving her position versatility.
The Lady Vols don’t hold any commitments for the upcoming 2027, 2028 or 2029 classes. This past cycle, Tennessee held a commitment from five-star Oliviyah Edwards since the fall, but she was released from her signing and later joined South Carolina. Tennessee also signed four-star Gabby Minus and international recruit Irene Oboavwoduo.
This makes Minus the headliner of the high school class, joining a group of 13 incoming transfers to round out UT’s 2026-27 roster.
“Gabby Minus is a tough-nosed, hard-working player who will come in as a freshman and have a lasting impact,” Caldwell said. “Her passion and love for the University of Tennessee are contagious. I am really excited about coaching Gabby.”
