KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE
Deniya Prawl Commits to Lady Vols Basketball as Program Strengthens Recruiting Class
In a significant move for the University of Tennessee women’s basketball program, Deniya Prawl, a five-star wing, has officially committed to joining the Lady Vols. Prawl’s decision marks the first occurrence of Tennessee securing a high school recruiting class with two top-15 players since 2017. The 6-foot-1 recruit, who plays for IMG Academy, is currently ranked No. 14 in the 2025 class.
Prawl’s commitment was announced on social media this past Monday. She noted the importance of the consistent communication she had with the Tennessee coaching staff during her decision-making process. “They were just so consistent; they made sure they checked off all the boxes for me. I feel like I heard from the coaching staff every day since my official visit,” she said during an interview on “SportsCenter Next” Instagram live. “They showed they truly cared about me as a person,” she added.
Prawl chose Tennessee over strong competitors, including Notre Dame and Baylor. Her top eight schools also featured powerhouses like South Carolina, UConn, Kentucky, Florida, and Louisville. This decision represents a significant recruiting win for first-year Lady Vols coach Kim Caldwell.
Prawl is the third commitment in Tennessee’s 2025 class, joining twin point guards Mia and Mya Pauldo, who committed in July. Mia is a five-star recruit ranked No. 11 in the class, while Mya is a four-star recruit ranked No. 56. Both players stand at 5-5 and compete at Morris Catholic High School in New Jersey. Their commitments, along with Prawl’s, indicate that Coach Caldwell is building a formidable team for the future.
Prawl’s official visit to Tennessee occurred during the football game weekend against Florida, a match the Volunteers won in overtime. On her visit, she was accompanied by other notable recruits, including five-star wing Grace Knox, ranked No. 6 in the class, and four-star guard Jaida Civil, ranked No. 32. Knox recently committed to LSU, highlighting the competitive nature of this recruiting class.
Hailing from Toronto, Prawl has made her mark on the international stage as well. She has played for the Canadian youth national teams, contributing significantly during the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup. In the gold medal game against the United States, Prawl scored 13 points, along with seven rebounds and three blocks. Throughout the tournament, she averaged 11.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.4 blocks across seven games.
Prawl’s high school team, IMG Academy, also made headlines during the 2024 Chipotle Nationals, where they reached the title game. Despite a challenging game against Montverde Academy, Prawl scored 10 points, showcasing her skills on a national level, although her team ultimately fell short with a 61-53 loss.
The commitment of Deniya Prawl to the Lady Vols is not just a win for the team but also sends a strong message about the direction of the program under Coach Caldwell’s leadership. As preparations for the upcoming seasons ramp up, the Lady Vols and their supporters are optimistic about the bright future ahead.
