South Carolina women’s basketball recruiting 2027 is gaining momentum as head coach Dawn Staley continues to attract some of the nation’s top high school talent, with five-star prospects Jezelle “GG” Banks and Jordyn Palmer both planning official visits to Columbia.
The Gamecocks remain one of the premier destinations in women’s college basketball, and the latest recruiting developments suggest Staley’s program is once again in strong position to compete for another elite recruiting class.
Two Top-10 Recruits Heading to Columbia
According to reports from On3’s Talia Goodman, five-star recruits Jezelle “GG” Banks and Jordyn Palmer have scheduled official visits to South Carolina.
Banks is ranked No. 4 nationally in ESPN’s Class of 2027 rankings, while Palmer sits at No. 9 overall. Although exact dates have not been released, Palmer is expected to visit Columbia during September.
South Carolina traditionally hosts many of its top recruiting weekends around home football games. The Gamecocks football team opens the season with three consecutive home contests on Sept. 5, Sept. 12, and Sept. 19, making those weekends likely opportunities for elite visitors to experience the campus atmosphere.
GG Banks Sees South Carolina as a Strong Fit
Banks, a 5-foot-10 point guard from The St. James Performance Academy in Virginia, is considered the No. 2 point guard in the Class of 2027.
She has also lined up official visits with Texas, LSU, and Ohio State, giving her several national championship contenders to evaluate before making a college decision.
Despite the competition, South Carolina has already made a lasting impression.
Speaking with On3, Banks praised Dawn Staley and the culture she has built in Columbia.
“I feel like South Carolina is definitely another fit for me. They play fast. Coach Dawn is an awesome coach, she has a great coaching staff and the same family environment. She’s close to her players. She’s very genuine and I’m excited for that visit as well.”
Banks has consistently performed against elite competition.
During her junior high school season, she averaged 14.3 points and 5.4 assists per game while leading The St. James Performance Academy to a 23-4 record. She has carried that success into the summer, averaging 20 points and eight assists per game for Team Durant on the Nike EYBL circuit.
Her international résumé is equally impressive.
Earlier this summer, Banks helped Team USA capture the gold medal at the 2026 FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup alongside incoming South Carolina freshman Kelsi Andrews. She averaged 13.8 points and 6.2 rebounds throughout the tournament and earned All-Star Second Team honors.
Jordyn Palmer Continues to Shine on the International Stage
Palmer, a 6-foot-1 forward from Westtown School in Pennsylvania, ranks as ESPN’s No. 3 wing in the 2027 class.
Her recruitment has quickly become one of the most competitive in the country.
Along with South Carolina, Palmer plans to visit Ohio State while UCLA, Maryland, and Penn State continue pursuing the talented forward.
She said she wants to experience South Carolina’s campus firsthand before making any decisions.
“I just think they’re a great school. Watching them on TV, they seem like a good program, and I’m trying to go on campus to see if it feels right to me. Obviously, meeting all the coaching staff and everything.”
Palmer has already built an outstanding international résumé.
She earned MVP honors at the 2026 FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup after averaging 18.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game while leading Team USA to another gold medal. She shared the roster with both Banks and incoming Gamecock freshman Kelsi Andrews.
Her success on the international stage began even earlier. In 2024, Palmer helped Team USA win the FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup, averaging 10.4 points and 6.3 rebounds during the championship run.
Dawn Staley Continues Recruiting at an Elite Level
South Carolina has become one of the nation’s premier destinations for elite women’s basketball prospects under Dawn Staley. National championships, Final Four appearances, player development, and a family-oriented culture continue to attract the country’s best talent.
Landing official visits from two top-10 recruits this early in the process reinforces the Gamecocks’ reputation as one of the leading programs in the nation.
While both Banks and Palmer still have several schools to evaluate, South Carolina has positioned itself squarely in the mix for two of the brightest stars in the 2027 recruiting class.
With official visits approaching this fall, the recruiting race is set to become one of the biggest storylines leading into the next cycle. If Staley can turn those visits into commitments, South Carolina women’s basketball recruiting 2027 could once again produce one of the nation’s top classes.
