The Nazareth Academy’s talent brings her championship pedigree to Carla Berube’s rebuilding program as the Wildcats' first commitment for the 2027 class.
With Carla Berube stepping up as the new coach, the Wildcats concentrate on rebuilding the current and eyeing the future.
Northwestern women’s basketball secured its first commitment in the Class of 2027 on Tuesday as Nazareth Academy standout Sophia Towne announced her commitment to the ‘Cats on social media.
The 5-foot-10 combo guard from Western Springs, Ill., is coming off a breakout junior season in which she helped Nazareth win the IHSA Class 4A state championship. Before leading the roadrunners to the final, Towne averaged 11.1 points and 3.9 assists per game while emerging as one of the top guards in Illinois. In the state title game against Loyola Academy, she delivered one of her best performances of the season, scoring 17 points with five assists in a dominant 55-23 victory.
Since her sophomore season, Towne had already drawn interest from multiple Division I schools and ultimately chose Northwestern over a long list of offers that included Harvard, Butler, Loyola Chicago, Bradley, UIC, JMU, Army, Lehigh, Green Bay, Evansville, Oakland and Northern Illinois. Staying close to home played a role in the decision, as Northwestern sits less than 40 miles from Nazareth Academy’s campus in La Grange Park.
The commitment also comes with a level of familiarity. Former Loyola Chicago head coach Allison Guth, who returned to Northwestern as part of Carla Berube’s staff last month, had connected with Towne during a campus visit in 2024. That relationship helped establish comfort between Northwestern and one of the state’s top prospects.
Towne’s game has continued to develop thanks to her versatility and endurance. In addition to basketball, she also competed in cross-country during high school, something coaches have credited for her stamina and nonstop motor on the floor. Her ability to impact games as both a scorer and facilitator made her a key piece in Nazareth’s championship run this past season.
Though it is way too early to preview her role as a ‘Cat, the addition marks another important step for Berube and Northwestern in rebuilding the roster for the future. Since taking over, Berube has aggressively rebuilt the roster through the transfer portal, adding four transfers while also restructuring the Wildcats’ coaching staff.
Landing Towne gives Northwestern not only its first freshman commitment for the 2027 cycle, but also one of the top in-state guards available. For a program looking to establish long-term stability under Berube, bringing a state champion home could become an early statement piece for the 'Cats’ future recruiting direction.
