Jenna Mishou received her verbal offer from Merrimack on the car ride home from the Atlantic City Showcase in mid-May. Her mom, dad, brother and his girlfriend all witnessed the pivotal phone call that highlighted an 11-hour drive home to Hanson, Mass.
Just nine days later, Mishou committed.
The 6-foot-2 forward at Archbishop Williams is among the earliest commits in the 2026 class. But Mishou said she didn't feel pressure to commit right away — she was simply that certain about the potential fit.
"I've been waiting for this offer, and I really wanted to stay close to home," Mishou said. "Once I got the offer and I went and visited, it felt like the right place."
KEEP TRACK:Â Here's our list of 2026 commitments so far
Mishou, who also held an offer from Providence, had a hunch for a while that she was reeling in Merrimack's interest. The rising senior had noticed the the Warriors attending her games at Archbishop Williams during the winter. They caught her 36-point explosion against Weymouth and Archbishop Williams' eventual MIAA tournament loss to North Quincy.
Merrimack's assistants scouted Mishou in-person through her strong effort during the May live period at the Atlantic City Showcase. Head coach Kelly Morrone hadn't even seen Mishou live yet. But the assistant coaches were so adamant after watching Mishou play that they implored Morrone not to let the opportunity pass.
"Apparently they were all calling her, screaming at her, telling that they need to offer me right now. And the head coach said that they've never done that to her, so that was pretty cool to hear," Mishou said.
Mishou had done her homework. She knew about the program and had attended Merrimack's senior day game on Feb. 22. Mishou committed during her May 28 visit to the school, saying she appreciated athletic director Joe Foley's vision for the Warriors as an NCAA Tournament hopeful.
"They really like to run the floor hard, and they always are hustling. That's what one of the coaches said — she liked that I always was working my butt off, she said, and I never stopped hustling," Mishou said. "And then also the rebounding, too, was a great piece for them."
Mishou averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks per game last winter, her first at Archbishop Williams after transferring from Whitman-Hanson. She models much of her game after Paige Bueckers, a similarly-sized lead guard known for her overall versatility. Mishou's unique collection of skill at her size — she can handle and drive the basketball and has made noteworthy progress as a shooter — helped draw colleges like Merrimack.
"I just capitalize on the things that most people my height can't do, and I just try to work hard on those so I can show it off in games, so that people will be impressed," she said. "I feel like I can still get rebounds and stuff, but it doesn't have to be all about just what I can do in the post. I feel like I can be very versatile and shoot outside whenever I want."
Mishou's commitment note was atypically long and personal. In it, she thanked several family members including older sister Marissa, who kept Mishou's stats, compiled highlights, and even helped run her basketball Instagram and Twitter accounts. She credited Sarah Behn, her Archbishop Williams coach and longtime trainer, for both her shooting form and for getting the ball rolling with college connections.
"She actually was the one who initiated Merrimack and started to have them look at me, so I'm just really appreciative for that," she said.
Mishou also shouted out both of her AAU directors — Laurie Bollin of the Bay State Jaguars and Travis Rhodes of the Dana Barros Basketball Club. She departed the Dana Barros Elite program late in her grassroots career to join her current Jaguars squad, seeking more exposure and new competition. It was a hard choice, Mishou said, and she appreciated that Rhodes stayed supportive even after losing a top player.
"I text him all my achievements and everything, and he's always saying congratulations," Mishou said. "That's why I included him in my write-up, because I feel like he still is a huge part of my journey, and I don't want to just leave him to the side like he did nothing. He was a huge part of everything."
