Michigan State Women's Basketball In the Hunt for Five-Star Forward

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kaleb Kraus | Last updated May 23, 2025 9:43 PM ET

Michigan State women's basketball hasn't shied away from trying to put itself in every position to land high-level talent. They have been under consideration for several highly rated prospects since Robyn Fralick got the job two seasons ago.

They were right in the fight for former Spartan men's basketball player and NBA legend Zach Randolph's daughter, Mackenley, who ended up at Louisville, but visited her dad's alma mater during her recruiting process.

The Spartans were also in the hunt alongside UConn and South Carolina for the services of Agot Makeer. She will be playing for the Gamecocks this fall. Still, Michigan State is putting itself out there.

The same can be said for 2026 power forward prospect Ashlyn Koupal. Koupal is a five-star recruit out of South Dakota. She's ranked No. 9 of all prospects according to 247 Sports.

Koupal, who stars for Wagner High School in South Dakota, is the best player from the state, and also the number five power forward in the country. The Big Ten likes its power forwards, and Michigan State knows it is a position of need.

Koupal told Dushawn London from 247 Sports that she has her focus down to five schools. Michigan State is among that list that also includes Nebraska, TCU, Duke, and Kansas.

NEWS: Ashlyn Koupal, the No. 9 overall prospect in the class of 2026, has shifted her focus to five schools, she tells @247Sports

Koupal has taken one official to Michigan State and plans to visit the remaining four before making a decision.

Story: https://t.co/iszIeyKDc6 pic.twitter.com/QK16qumACU
— Dushawn London (@DushawnLondon1) May 21, 2025

That's a powerful list, and it's no guarantee for the Spartans, but to be in the hunt for yet another highly rated player shows that Coach Robyn Fralick is ready to get the Spartans beyond the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

It also doesn't hurt that Ashlyn has already taken one visit to East Lansing. Coach Fralick has the Spartans Ladies program buzzing.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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