Alright, let’s break it down. Dawn Staley’s recruiting game? Still sizzling. Getting Kelsi Andrews—yeah, the 6’3” post ranked 18th in ESPN’s 2026 class—was a big early flex. One tweet, and suddenly you could probably hear the cheers from the parking lot. Andrews isn’t just another tall kid with potential; she fits right into South Carolina’s style. She’s got that back-to-the-basket game, soft hands, all the stuff Staley builds championships on. Plus, let’s be real, it’s been a weird cycle—some top prospects already bailed elsewhere, so getting Andrews early felt extra sweet.
But Staley and her staff? They’re not kicking back. The phones are blowing up, film’s rolling, and visits are stacking up like pancakes at brunch. Big names still on the board: Olivia Vukosa (No. 3 overall, 6’4” center from New York) is a beast in the paint, super polished, and South Carolina’s in her final five alongside the usual heavy-hitters—Texas, UConn, LSU, Ohio State. She’s making her rounds with official visits, and the Gamecocks are still in the hunt. Then there’s Jerzy Robinson (No. 5, 6’0” guard out of California). She can score from basically anywhere, and every top program wants her, but Staley isn’t backing off.
Of course, some top-10 recruits have already made headlines. Oliviyah Edwards (No. 2) picked Tennessee, McKenna Woliczko (No. 6) is headed to Iowa. Both had South Carolina in their final lists, but hey, can’t win ‘em all. Landing Andrews was still a power move, and the board’s far from empty.
Visits? Oh, there’s been some traffic through Columbia lately. Sitaya Fagan, a 6’2” forward from Australia, swung by in early October—Staley’s got that international reach, no doubt. Somto “Blessed” Okafor, a 5’9” guard out of Barcelona, also made an official visit. Kaeli Wynn (No. 17, 6’2” forward from California) checked out campus in early September. Lola Lampley (No. 29, 6’2” wing) is scheduled to visit mid-October. Emily McDonald (No. 23, 6’0” guard from NY) was in town too, but she ended up committing to Kentucky right after, so cross her off.
Why does Andrews matter so much? She’s not just a pretty ranking—she fits what South Carolina does. The Gamecocks win by owning the paint, pounding the boards, and making you regret ever trying to score inside. Andrews has the footwork, patience, and touch to make those ugly, tough buckets look easy. When March rolls around and the games get ugly, you want players like her. Plus, when a top frontcourt player jumps in early, other recruits notice. It’s like a green light for more talent to follow.
Meanwhile, other teams are making moves. Tennessee grabbing Edwards sent a message: they’re not messing around in ‘26. Iowa getting Woliczko? That’s their biggest get since Caitlin Clark, and you know Hawkeye fans are already dreaming. But none of that closes the door for South Carolina—there’s still plenty of top talent out there.
And here’s a fun twist: South Carolina just inked a 10-year deal with Nike starting in 2026. That’s not just about gear. It means more marketing muscle, flashier uniforms, and—get this—Gamecock colorways of A’ja Wilson’s signature Nikes. If you think that doesn’t matter to recruits, you’ve never seen a teenager drool over new kicks. Staley said it herself—kids just want the Swoosh.
So what’s next? More visits, more late-night phone calls, probably a few surprise campus drop-ins. If Staley can pair Andrews with Vukosa or Robinson—and maybe snag a wing like Wynn or Lampley—this 2026 class is gonna be nasty, in the best way. Good enough to keep the Gamecocks right in the title mix.
Bottom line: South Carolina’s 2026 recruiting? Still loaded. Andrews’ commitment just tilted the scales toward Columbia. The rest of the dominoes? Yeah, they’re still standing—but not for long.
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