Man, word travels fast in college hoops circles, right? One minute you’re scrolling through Twitter, next thing you know, Kelsi Andrews is trending, and South Carolina’s fanbase is losing its collective mind. The whole women’s basketball world perked up—because, yeah, Dawn Staley just scored her first commit from the Class of 2026. Not just anybody, either. Kelsi’s a 6’3” four-star forward out of IMG Academy, and she was wanted by basically everyone with a basketball program and a pulse.
She dropped her commitment on social like it was nothing, picking the Gamecocks over LSU, Notre Dame, Duke, Ohio State… you name it. Not bad for a kid ESPN’s got sitting at No. 18 in the country and straight-up top dog among the four-stars for 2026.
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Staley Wastes No Time—Andrews Is a Big-Time Grab
Honestly, you gotta hand it to Dawn Staley. The woman doesn’t mess around. Her program’s basically the gold standard in women’s hoops at this point, and now she’s reloading with another blue-chip forward. The Gamecocks just got done with another Final Four run, and already there’s a new wave of talent lining up to keep the dynasty rolling.
Brandon Clay over at 247Sports couldn’t say enough good things: “She’s got size, a soft touch, and an edge to her game.” Not a ton of true bigs in this class, but Andrews worked her way into the Top 10 discussion, even after fighting through some gnarly leg injuries. The girl rebounds like she’s got magnets for hands and can put the ball in from anywhere around the paint.
And the timing? Kinda perfect, honestly. South Carolina’s been spoiled with elite post players—Aliyah Boston, Kamilla Cardoso, all those legends—but every dynasty needs its next chapter. This is it.
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All She Does Is Win—Seriously
Andrews isn’t just some hyped-up recruit, either. She’s already got the hardware. Last April, she helped IMG snag a national championship in a wild overtime game against Montverde Academy—dropped 12 points and pulled down 13 boards, just eating up the paint. That’s not even counting all the Team USA stuff—she’s got more gold medals than most people have hoodies.
She balled out in the 2023 FIBA Americas U16s (6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and more blocks than a Lego convention), then did it again at the 2024 U17 World Cup. Nearly three boards a game, bringing that same energy on both ends. Just last month, she got the call for the U19 Team USA trials, so you know her stock isn’t just rising, it’s straight-up skyrocketing.
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Who South Carolina Beat for Her? Basically Everybody
Andrews took the grand tour—Auburn, Virginia, LSU, Mississippi State—plus heavy hitters like Ohio State and Notre Dame all wanted in. But once she visited Columbia in late September, that was it. People close to the program say her connection with Staley was instant—like, “Where have you been all my life?” energy. Dawn’s got a reputation for being the ultimate recruiter and mentor, and apparently, that’s not just hype.
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What She Actually Brings to the Gamecocks
At 6’3”, she’s built for the post, sure, but she’s not some old-school big who plants herself under the rim and calls it a day. She runs the floor, can defend all over, finishes with both hands, and her jumper’s smoother than half the guards out there. Rebounds? She’s basically allergic to letting the other team get second chances. And her motor? Never stops.
One of the staffers at South Carolina told The State she’s got that toughness—like some of the program’s all-time greats. She doesn’t just handle contact, she goes looking for it. Gotta love that.
Adding Andrews isn’t just about now—it’s about making sure the Gamecocks don’t miss a beat, even as old stars move on. Staley’s playing chess while everyone else is stuck on checkers.
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So, What’s Next?
This is probably just the beginning. You know how recruiting goes—one domino falls, and suddenly everyone’s texting their AAU coaches about South Carolina. Staley’s crew is famous for building those relationships early, and with Andrews on board, other top-10 prospects are definitely paying attention. I mean, when you’re selling national championships, WNBA stars, and Olympic golds, your pitch is basically, “Come win stuff and join the family.”
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Bottom line: Kelsi Andrews committing to South Carolina isn’t just a headline—it’s the launch of a new era for the Gamecocks. If you’re a fan of women’s hoops, buckle up. Dawn Staley’s not letting up anytime soon.
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