Kaylor Buse Breaks Down South Carolina Recruitment as Gamecocks Await Official Visit

South Carolina has made the cut, and now Kaylor Buse is giving Gamecock fans a closer look at why.

The 2027 point guard recently named South Carolina one of her five finalists, alongside Washington, Oregon, Utah and TCU. The decision puts Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks firmly in the middle of a recruitment that is entering its most important stretch, with Buse’s official visit to Columbia scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 3.

Buse recently discussed her recruitment with On3’s Talia Goodman, explaining why South Carolina’s late arrival on her recruiting trail has not worked against the Gamecocks.

Buse says South Carolina arrived at the right time

South Carolina was the last of Buse’s five finalists to begin recruiting her. On paper, that might seem like a disadvantage.

Buse sees it differently.

She told Goodman that her recruitment has unfolded differently from what many prospects experience, and she does not believe a later start automatically puts a program behind.

That may be especially important for South Carolina, which now has an opportunity to make a strong final impression when Buse finally reaches campus.

Her first official visit has already taken place at Washington. The remaining schedule currently has Buse visiting:

• TCU: Aug. 28
• Utah: Sept. 11
• Oregon: Sept. 18
• South Carolina: Oct. 3 weekend

The timing of the Columbia visit is notable. Staley has long valued being the final stop in a recruit’s official-visit schedule, giving South Carolina the last chance to make its pitch before a decision.

And this time, the setting should be electric.

South Carolina hosts Kentucky in football that weekend, potentially giving Buse a first-hand look at the noise, pageantry and intensity surrounding Gamecock athletics.

Dawn Staley made an immediate impression

For Buse, the South Carolina connection became real when she first spoke with Staley.

Calling one of the most recognizable coaches in women’s basketball can be intimidating. Buse admitted that the conversation initially felt almost surreal.

But the coach quickly made the interaction comfortable.

Buse described Staley as down to earth and praised what she called the authenticity of her communication. She also said Staley's appreciation for her players and program came through naturally rather than feeling like a standard recruiting pitch.

That matters in a recruitment increasingly shaped by personal relationships.

Buse also has noticed the passion surrounding South Carolina women’s basketball. The Gamecocks’ online fan base has been especially active, and Buse joked about how frequently fans respond to posts involving her recruitment.

Now she wants to experience that atmosphere in person.

The biggest question may be geography.

Buse is from Oregon, meaning Columbia is a long way from home. Her upcoming visit will give her the chance to determine whether that distance is a genuine concern or simply another factor she can overcome.

A productive point guard with defensive bite

Buse is a 5-foot-9 point guard from West Linn High School in West Linn, Oregon, where she has already established herself as one of the state’s premier players.

She helped West Linn capture its first Oregon state championship and also played travel basketball with Northwest Select, taking that team to the circuit semifinals.

Her résumé is unusually well-rounded.

Buse was named first-team all-state as both a sophomore and junior. She has also won league Defensive Player of the Year honors in each of her first three high school seasons.

Last season, she averaged:

• 15.2 points
• 6.2 rebounds
• 5.2 assists
• 2.6 steals
• 1.3 blocks

That combination tells the story. Buse is not simply a scoring point guard. She impacts games as a passer, rebounder and perimeter defender, while her 1.3 blocks per game stand out for a player listed at 5-foot-9.

Her stock has also been moving.

When South Carolina offered Buse, ESPN ranked her No. 77 nationally. She has since climbed to No. 52 in ESPN’s most recent rankings. She is not currently ranked by Rivals/On3.

South Carolina has other elite 2027 targets

Buse is not the only major 2027 prospect on South Carolina’s recruiting radar.

The Gamecocks also have official visits planned for point guard Jezelle “GG” Banks and wing Jordyn Palmer.

Banks is among the highest-rated guards in the class. On3’s South Carolina recruiting coverage has identified her as a major Gamecock target, while the current 2027 offer board also lists Banks among South Carolina’s top prospects.

Banks has confirmed official visits to South Carolina, LSU, Texas and Ohio State, although she has not publicly specified the dates.

Palmer is another enormous target.

The 6-foot-1 wing is ranked among the elite prospects in the 2027 class and recently strengthened her résumé on the international stage. She earned MVP honors while leading USA Basketball to gold at the U18 AmeriCup, averaging 18.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.2 steals.

South Carolina has remained firmly involved in Palmer’s recruitment, with the Gamecocks continuing to track her alongside other national contenders.

October could tell the story

For Buse, the next several weeks will be about seeing how each finalist feels in person.

South Carolina has deliberately left itself a late opportunity.

By the time Buse arrives in Columbia, she will have already seen Washington, TCU, Utah and Oregon. She will have more information, more comparisons and a clearer idea of what she wants from her college experience.

Then comes Staley, the Gamecock players, the fans and an entire football weekend surrounding the visit.

That makes October 3 more than another date on a recruiting calendar. It could be South Carolina’s biggest opportunity to turn Buse’s growing interest into something much more serious.

For a rising Oregon point guard whose national profile has climbed sharply, the question now is whether Columbia can feel enough like home to make the distance disappear—and whether the Kaylor Buse South Carolina women’s basketball recruitment ultimately ends with the Gamecocks winning the race.