Avery Arije, the No. 16 prospect in the 2027 SC Next 100, has committed to Notre Dame, she announced Friday. A 6-foot, left-handed lead guard from Crestwood Preparatory College in Toronto, Arije picked the Fighting Irish over Duke, Cal, Penn State and Maryland.
"I chose Notre Dame because it felt like the perfect fit," she said. "The development is next level. It's evident in the players they've produced. I have a chance to get a great degree, and I've felt so much love from the staff at Notre Dame."
Arije has extensive experience with the Canadian national team dating to 2023, with appearances at the 2023 and 2025 FIBA U16 Women's AmeriCup -- winning a silver in the latter and making the tournament's All-Star five -- and the 2024 and 2026 FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cups on her résumé.
Arije can play with or without a high-usage role. She can assume the lead guard position as she naturally facilitates on the floor. Consistent 3-point shooting will help expand her game -- as evidenced this summer in the adidas 3SSB semifinal, where she was 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Arije also excels at getting to the free throw line. Her rebounding production is solid for a perimeter player. Her ability to contain smaller guards will be a point of future evaluation as she levels up.
Arije becomes the third commitment in Notre Dame's 2027 recruiting class, joining forward Eve Long (No. 5) and point guard Chasity Rice (No. 36) and providing a balance to Niele Ivey's roster, particularly with the impending graduation of Hannah Hidalgo after this season. The trio will bolster a frontcourt-heavy incoming freshman group -- No. 5 in the 2026 recruiting class rankings.
Notre Dame is looking for its first Final Four appearance since 2019 -- and Ivey's first since she took over the program. The Irish open the 2026-27 season Nov. 1 against Villanova in Rome.