COLUMBIA — The South Carolina women’s basketball team is entering the upcoming season with a strong roster, having retained all players from last year’s squad. Coach Dawn Staley has successfully navigated the offseason without losing any players to the transfer portal, which has allowed her to bring back seven athletes who contributed to the team’s SEC regular-season title and its run to the national championship game.
This year, the Gamecocks not only welcome back these seasoned players but also add three high school signees and a notable transfer in Texas star guard Jordan Lee. Additionally, Staley is excited to have forwards Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins returning after both missed the entirety of last season due to injuries.
By early April, Staley’s roster of 13 players was already being recognized as one of the top groups in the nation. The situation became even more intriguing when five-star forward Oliviyah Edwards, ranked as the No. 3 prospect in ESPN's 2026 rankings, sought to be released from her commitment to Tennessee.
South Carolina quickly re-engaged with Edwards, who had initially planned an official visit to the Gamecocks before deciding to commit to the Lady Vols. After a second round of recruitment, Edwards officially joined the Gamecocks on April 23, with her mother confirming that the final choices were between South Carolina and Tennessee, despite her also visiting Texas and Louisville.
In a recent appearance on The Bakari Sellers Show podcast, Staley discussed the dynamics of her roster and how she addressed the concerns of her players regarding the influx of talent. Notably, forward Alicia Tournebize approached Staley to discuss the implications of adding another player like Edwards to the roster.
Staley expressed her appreciation for Tournebize’s initiative, as it demonstrates the players' investment in their roles and the team’s future. Freshman Kelsi Andrews’ family and Kitts also had similar inquiries, particularly about the depth at the forward position where Edwards will compete.
“You have to explain to them how different every single player is,” Staley stated, emphasizing the unique contributions each player brings to the team. Tournebize, who transitioned from professional basketball in France midway through last season, is expected to have a different experience this year with a larger roster.
Staley reassured her young players, reminding them of their potential and importance to the program. Tournebize, along with other forwards like Watkins and Kitts, has multiple years of eligibility remaining, positioning them as key figures for the Gamecocks moving forward.
In addition to Edwards, Staley recently signed Justine Loubens, a 6-foot-1 guard from France, marking the first time since the 2021-22 season that South Carolina has had more than 14 players on its roster. Staley noted that the entire team committed to maintaining a roster of 15 players.
With the departure of presumed starting point guard Maddy McDaniel, who left the team in August, the Gamecocks had an open scholarship for a brief period before signing former Michigan point guard Brooke Quarles Daniels. This signing was part of a unique opportunity for a group of athletes from the Class of 2022 to enter the transfer portal for an additional year of eligibility due to a California ruling.
ESPN has rated South Carolina's freshman class as the second-best in the nation, while the team itself is projected as the top contender in early rankings. Staley emphasized the importance of team discussions in making roster decisions, stating, “The more the merrier. No one can play 30 minutes the way that we play or the way we are going to play.”
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