The recruiting stock of Tailele Wily-Ava continues to soar as the talented Class of 2027 guard recently earned her first Division I scholarship offer from Long Beach State University. While this may be her first offer, it is unlikely to be her last.
The 5-foot-10 combo guard recently transferred from Kahuku High School in Hawai’i to St. Joseph High School in Lakewood, California, where she will continue her development against elite competition during her junior season. Wily-Ava also competes with Troop West on the highly competitive Select 40 Circuit, consistently proving herself against some of the top prospects on the West Coast.
One of the biggest catalysts in her recruitment came during the recent Section 7 Team Camp, one of the premier live-period events in the country. Competing in front of hundreds of college coaches from every level, Wily-Ava used the national stage to showcase her complete skill set and toughness against elite competition. Her performances throughout the event helped generate significant buzz among college recruiters and ultimately played a major role in securing her first Division I offer from Long Beach State. In addition to the offer, multiple Division I programs have begun expressing serious interest as they continue evaluating one of the West Coast’s fastest-rising prospects in the 2027 class.
What immediately stands out about Wily-Ava is her combination of size, strength, athleticism, and skill. A natural southpaw, she uses her physical frame exceptionally well to attack defenders and create advantages. She possesses a tight handle and advanced basketball IQ that allows her to break down defenders off the dribble, manipulate defensive rotations, and create opportunities for herself and her teammates.
When attacking the basket, Wily-Ava is at her best. She is an elite slasher who thrives getting downhill, finishing through contact, and applying constant pressure on opposing defenses. Her ability to absorb contact while maintaining balance makes her one of the most difficult guards in her class to contain.
Her offensive game continues to evolve as well. Wily-Ava has developed into a reliable mid-range scorer and has demonstrated the ability to stretch defenses from beyond the three-point line. As her perimeter game continues to improve, she becomes even more dangerous as a three-level scoring threat.
Basketball excellence runs deep within the family. Her mother, Artevia Wily, was a standout point guard at Kahuku High School before continuing her career at BYU-Hawaii, where she established herself as one of the premier guards from Hawai’i during her playing days. Tailele has clearly inherited the toughness, leadership, and competitive spirit that made her mother such a successful player.
What makes Wily-Ava such an intriguing prospect at the next level is her versatility. She possesses the size to play multiple backcourt positions, the strength to overpower smaller guards, and the skill set to facilitate, score, and defend. Her ceiling remains incredibly high, making her one of the most sought-after Indigenous prospects in the country.
Next weekend, Wily-Ava will be one of the featured players for the GC3 Stars Polynesian All-Star Team as they compete at the Tribe Athletics Native American Nationals. She will share the floor alongside her cousin, rising 2028 point guard Tylaiah Wily, giving fans an opportunity to see one of the most talented Polynesian basketball families in action.
Within the Indigenous basketball community, Wily-Ava has firmly established herself as one of the elite prospects on the circuit. She currently ranks among the Top 5 prospects in the Indigenous Athletes Circuit, and her combination of physical tools, skill development, and competitive toughness suggests that her recruitment is only beginning to gain momentum.
Long Beach State may have been first to recognize her potential with an offer, but it certainly won’t be the last. Following a breakout Section 7 performance and continued success on the Select 40 Circuit, Wily-Ava has positioned herself squarely on the radar of Division I programs across the country. As her game continues to develop, expect her recruitment to accelerate and her offer list to grow substantially.
The future is bright, and this is only the beginning for one of the top Indigenous prospects in the nation.
