Kim Mulkey‘s LSU Tigers are quickly assembling one of the best recruiting classes in the country. Now they have added five-star forward Grace Knox to the mix. The 6-foot-2 wing from Rancho Cucamonga, California, committed to LSU, giving the program its fourth five-star recruit, thereby further cementing a 2025 class that is now a strong candidate to win the 2024-25 season.

Grace, who decided to choose the Tigers over other powerhouse programs like Texas, USC, and Tennessee recently committed to LSU announcing via a post on X. Her commitment marks the latest victory for Head Coach Mulkey, who has expertly built a recruiting class that rivals the best in the country.

In fact, Grace ranked No. 6 on ESPN’s top recruits list will join Divine Bourrage, ZaKiyah Johnson and Bella Hines, who all rank among the top 30 recruits in ESPN’s Top 100.

Knox’s decision is especially significant for LSU, marking the second time in three years the program has secured the best rookies in the nation. It is a stark contrast to LSU’s 2024 recruiting cycle, where the Tigers signed just one player. In fact, this speaks more to Mulkey’s vision for the future of LSU women’s basketball than anything.

“Being able to bond with the coach that I’d want to play for and have passion with, the style of play is really important to me, just knowing that I can fit into the program and knowing that I can thrive and become my best self is really important. Location isn’t a big thing for me. I’m willing to go wherever in the country.” Grace Knox shared with On3 in July.

These sentiments reflect the confidence and clarity Knox has in LSU’s ability to develop her talent, especially under the leadership of Mulkey, whose championship pedigree is unmatched in the college game. What makes Knox stand out in a star-studded class is her versatility. Standing at 6-2, she can play both forward and wing positions, providing a unique skill set that will only add flexibility to LSU’s lineup.

This is reflected in her tenure at Rancho Cucamonga’s Etiwanda High, where averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds. Knox also set herself apart in the Nike EYBL circuit, where she posted even more impressive numbers of 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game.

Grace Knox: LSU’s new star recruit bringing power, skill, and defensive dominance

Knox is known for her ability to impact all areas of the game. Her highlights show off an impressive dunking ability, a smooth mid-range game, and an ability to step out and shoot the three. More importantly, her athleticism adds an important edge to her defensive capabilities which make them a significant asset. In fact, as a rim protector, she adds another layer to LSU’s already formidable defense, which will be crucial in SEC play.

However, Grace Knox’s journey to becoming one of the top recruits in the nation hasn’t been easy. Although as a freshman, she was instrumental in leading Spring Valley High School in Las Vegas to the NIAA 5A semifinals. Her basketball career was constantly interrupted by a back injury that occurred during her sophomore year.

In fact, Knox would even state “It (injury) was a consistent thing over time,” during an interview with the Daily Bulletin. However, things started changing after she transferred to Etiwanda High School, where she returned stronger than ever, averaging 17.2 points and 11.9 rebounds as a junior. this resilience of hers would even bring her high praise from her coach, Stan Delus, who praised her for being a player who can “take over a game” when it matters most.

As LSU’s recruiting class continues to build momentum, the addition of Knox further cements Kim Mulkey’s ability to attract top-tier talent. Now with a group of freshmen to accompany Flau’jae Johnson for a long period of time, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Kim Mulkley and LSU end up winning a couple more titles.