CAMAS, Wash. -- Oregon Ducks Women’s basketball officially added another player to their flock, as star Union Titans guard Brooklynn Haywood signed her letter of intent on Wednesday. In front of her family, friends, and teammates, Haywood solidified where she will begin her next chapter next fall. Ranked number 26 in ESPN’s Next 100 for 2026, one of the top guards in the country will continue her journey in Eugene. With many other top recruits still determining where to play at the next level, Haywood made her decision early so she could avoid the distraction and enjoy her last year with her friends.

“I knew where home was, I knew where I wanted to go, I knew the people that were going to care for me and take care of me for four years,” Haywood told World Exposure Report. “I just want to have fun with my teammates my senior year, and it’s going to be a fun year.”

Although she made her decision before the start of her senior year, Haywood can now focus on putting the finishing touches on her historic career. From the day she began at Union, her impact was felt through multiple broken records and team success. With Haywood leading the charge, the Titans reached the WIAA 4A State Tournament last season. Although she has yet to complete her high school career, Haywood is confident in her transition to Oregon because of her skills and past experiences.

“Obviously, I’ve had a lot of success in high school, but I think I’ve also had a lot of experiences too, and I think that helps a lot,” she said. “I’m not going to be like a brand new freshman, like I have a pretty great [basketball] IQ and really great skills, and so I think bringing that IQ and skills and leadership to the team, even as a freshman [will help them succeed].”

Union has profited from Haywood’s accomplishments, but also from the leadership she displays as the star player. Her impact has elevated the program as she’s made it a priority to do whatever it takes to win. Titans head coach Gary Mills spoke about how the qualities she’s displayed over the years make her a perfect fit with the Ducks.

“You always want your best player to be your hardest worker, and she definitely is that for us,” Mills said. “[Haywood]’s a great teammate, and when she’s not in the game, she cheers for her [teammates]. And, you know, is she going to be a vocal leader on day one at Oregon? I’m not sure about that, but I have a lot of confidence that by the time her [college] career is done, that she will be that type of leader.”

Haywood will learn under Oregon head coach Kelly Graves, who spoke highly of her upon her officially joining the program.

“Brooklynn is an elite scoring and playmaking guard – one of the best in the country,” Graves said in a statement. “She’s a tireless worker who puts in the time to better herself and her craft. She can score off the dribble and is among the best shooters in the country. She really uses her body well when she penetrates and has an uncanny ability to finish over bigger defenders. She’s always been an excellent teammate and gels well with others.”

Although Haywood communicated with many coaches who recruited her, she spoke about how Graves has molded some amazing point guards, including New York Liberty and Oregon great, Sabrina Ionescu.

"Yeah. I mean, [Graves has] grown some great point guards, obviously, like Sabrina, for example,” Haywood said. “Just to be another one of those great point guards to [play for] Oregon, like that was a big appeal. I feel like my skills and my IQ is just gonna develop so much over the four years.”

Upon her commitment to be a Duck, Haywood received a personalized video from Ionescu. Seeing the video meant a lot to her, further solidifying that she made the right decision.

“So my AAU team was sponsored by [Ionescu and] obviously she’s a big role model to me,” Haywood said. “That’s who we all look up to on that team. I’ve never met her before, so when she sent that video, and I watched it, it felt so good. It really felt like I’d made the right decision [at] that moment.”

Haywood’s story as a Duck may be beginning soon, but she still has one chapter left as a Titan. With her new home already chosen, she’s able to relish every moment in her last season at Union. Haywood begins her final season with over 2,000 career points, and she is on pace to break Chicago Sky guard Hailey Van Lith’s record for most points in a college career in the state of Washington (2,886). Although she recognizes that accomplishment is in reach, her main focus is finishing her high school career as a state champion.

“My first goal is to win [the] state [championship],” Haywood said. “If [breaking Van Lith’s record] happens, it happens. It’s gonna be great [and] it’ll feel really good too, but my first goal is to win.”