Biloxi Star Zaniya Johnson to Announce College Choice
The top-ranked Mississippi basketball prospect plans to reveal her decision on Wednesday.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Basketball
Live Poll
When choosing a college, would you prioritize the team's championship history over other factors?
Zaniya Johnson, a standout forward from Biloxi, is set to announce her college basketball commitment this Wednesday. The Class of 2027 recruit is expected to choose between South Carolina and LSU.
Why it matters
As the top-ranked prospect in Mississippi, Johnson is a highly sought-after athlete who could transform the future roster of whichever program she selects. Her final decision follows recent high-profile visits to both the University of South Carolina and LSU.
Johnson stands 6-foot-4 and enters her final recruiting cycle with over 2,000 career points, 1,200 rebounds, and 300 blocks. She currently holds the title of the top-ranked girls basketball prospect from Mississippi for the Class of 2027.
The players
Zaniya Johnson
She is a 6-foot-4 forward from Biloxi and the top-ranked high school girls basketball prospect in Mississippi.
South Carolina
The university is a perennial basketball powerhouse that has won three national titles in the last decade.
LSU
The university is a major collegiate basketball program that secured a national championship in 2023.
The details
Johnson has narrowed her recruitment to South Carolina, currently ranked No. 1 in the preseason AP poll, and LSU, which secured a national title in 2023. The 6-foot-4 forward visited LSU in September and completed a trip to South Carolina on October 3.
Timeline
September 2026: Johnson visited LSU for a campus tour.
October 3, 2026: Johnson traveled to South Carolina for a visit.
October 22, 2026: Johnson will announce her final college decision.
Season Trajectory
Johnson's commitment marks a significant milestone in the broader Class of 2027 recruiting landscape as elite programs compete for top regional talent. Her choice will influence the competitive balance between the SEC powerhouses currently vying for the top spot in the national rankings.
Local supporters can watch the announcement livestreamed on YouTube this Wednesday to see which program secures the commitment of the two-time Sun Herald Player of the Year. Her decision will finalize the next step for Mississippi's premier talent in the Class of 2027.
The takeaway
Johnson's high-profile recruitment highlights the intense competition for elite youth talent in the state of Mississippi. Fans looking to follow top-tier athletic development should monitor how these premier programs integrate such versatile, high-stat players into their future rotations.
Further reading
Follow the latest updates on regional high school athletic developments in Biloxi Basketball.
Live Poll
When choosing a college, would you prioritize the team's championship history over other factors?
