Why Justine Loubens Left France to Play for Dawn Staley and South Carolina

French basketball prospect Justine Loubens left the familiar surroundings of France to pursue a bigger opportunity in the United States, choosing to play for Dawn Staley and the powerhouse South Carolina Gamecocks. For the 19-year-old guard, the move represents more than a change of scenery. It is a chance to develop her game, continue her education, and compete at one of the highest levels of women’s college basketball.

South Carolina announced Loubens’ signing on April 29, 2026, adding another promising French talent to a program that continues to expand its international connections. Standing 6-foot-1, Loubens joins a roster built around championship expectations, relentless defense, and the pursuit of another national title.

Her decision also reunites her with a familiar face. French teammate Alicia Tournebize, who joined the Gamecocks midway through the 2025-26 season, played an important role in helping Loubens feel comfortable with the idea of moving thousands of miles from home.

For a young player preparing to begin a new chapter, that combination of elite coaching, competitive basketball, and familiar companionship proved difficult to ignore.

Why Justine Loubens Chose the United States

Loubens’ decision to leave France was driven by her desire to improve as both a student and a basketball player.

Before joining South Carolina, she had a brief stint with La Roche Vendée, a professional basketball team in France. Although the experience provided an opportunity to compete at a high level, the prospect of playing college basketball in America offered a different path.

The American college system allows athletes to pursue their education while developing their skills through structured training, competitive games, and professional-quality coaching.

That balance appealed to Loubens.

“I decided to come to the States because I know every school has a good formation,” Loubens told The State on October 22. “And they can combine school and basketball.”

Her comments highlight a significant attraction of the American college system for international prospects. Players can develop their basketball careers without putting their academic goals aside.

For Loubens, the opportunity to experience a new culture while competing against some of the country’s best college teams added another layer of appeal.

South Carolina, however, quickly emerged as her preferred destination.

“I chose South Carolina because they have a good program,” she explained. “They are ambitious, and I know it’s one of the top teams in the country. So, I knew if I came here that’s why I could improve and progress.”

Joining a championship-caliber program means facing demanding expectations from the beginning. For Loubens, that challenge appears to be precisely what she wanted.

Dawn Staley’s Influence on Loubens’ Decision

South Carolina’s reputation was a major factor in Loubens’ decision, but head coach Dawn Staley also played an important role.

Staley has established the Gamecocks as one of the premier programs in women’s college basketball, combining championship success with a culture built around discipline, toughness, and accountability.

For an international recruit looking to accelerate her development, the opportunity to learn from Staley represented a significant advantage.

Loubens said she had already developed a positive relationship with her new coach despite spending only a few months on campus.

“She’s a very good coach,” Loubens said. “With me, she helps me to be better on a few points.”

The guidance she receives is practical and specific. Loubens explained that Staley wants her to take open shots, defend aggressively, and avoid dribbling unnecessarily.

Those instructions suggest a clear role for the young guard: make smart decisions, move the ball efficiently, and use her physical tools to contribute on both ends of the floor.

Staley, meanwhile, has been encouraged by what she has seen during practices.

“She’s disciplined,” Staley said on October 22. “If we tell her to do this or that, she does it to a T.”

The coach also praised Loubens’ basketball intelligence, rebounding, and defensive potential.

“She’s not a bad defender, especially with her length,” Staley added.

Staley believes Loubens can help the team when her number is called. Rather than expecting the freshman to immediately become a leading scorer, the coaching staff appears focused on preparing her to contribute within the team’s established system.

That approach could prove valuable as Loubens adjusts to the speed and physicality of American college basketball.

How Loubens Is Fitting Into South Carolina’s System

Loubens has already offered encouraging signs during South Carolina’s preseason exhibitions.

She recorded two points and two rebounds against the College of Charleston before adding five points and two rebounds against Benedict.

Although those numbers are modest, preseason games provide an opportunity to evaluate how a new player handles the team’s system, finds scoring opportunities, and responds to defensive pressure.

Her professional experience in France also provides a foundation for the transition.

Across 24 appearances with La Roche Vendée, Loubens averaged 6.5 points and 2.5 rebounds while shooting an impressive 63.9% from the field.

That shooting percentage suggests she can be effective around the basket and capitalize on quality scoring opportunities. At South Carolina, her challenge will be translating those strengths into a more demanding competitive environment.

Her 6-foot-1 frame could also make her useful defensively, particularly when the Gamecocks need additional length on the perimeter.

Staley’s emphasis on discipline and decision-making indicates that playing time will depend on Loubens’ ability to execute her responsibilities consistently.

If she continues to adapt, the French guard could develop into a valuable rotational player during her first season.

Alicia Tournebize Gives Her a Familiar Face

Moving to another country can be difficult for any teenager, especially one entering an unfamiliar academic environment while learning a new language.

Fortunately for Loubens, South Carolina offers something beyond basketball: a teammate who understands where she comes from.

Loubens and Tournebize have known each other for more than a decade. Their connection stretches back to their families, as their mothers, Laëtitia Loubens-Moussard and Isabelle Fijalkowski-Tournebize, played together on the French national team in the early 1990s.

The younger players have also represented France together, competing at the 2024 FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup and the 2025 FIBA U18 Women’s EuroBasket.

Their familiarity has carried over to Columbia, where they can draw on their shared experience to build chemistry on the court.

“That helps,” Loubens said. “We can find each other on the court, so we have a good chemistry.”

The pair are also roommates, giving Loubens a reliable source of support as she adjusts to life in America.

Tournebize has helped her navigate situations where the language barrier becomes challenging. Although Loubens said she can now understand nearly everything, speaking English remains more difficult.

“She helps me a lot and now I’m getting better,” Loubens explained. “To talk, it’s still difficult. But she’s here every time I need her.”

Their relationship was also a factor in South Carolina’s recruitment efforts. Staley previously indicated that Tournebize’s presence helped the Gamecocks land Loubens.

That existing connection has made the transition easier while giving the team two players with experience competing together internationally.

A New Life in America and a Chance to Make an Impact

Loubens has embraced the cultural differences since arriving in South Carolina, even if some aspects of American life have surprised her.

Having never visited the United States before joining the Gamecocks, she quickly noticed a difference that many international visitors recognize.

“It’s bigger. Everything is bigger,” she said, adding that American food was also very different from what she was accustomed to in France.

Despite those adjustments, her early experience has been positive. She has settled into the team, established a relationship with Staley, and begun learning what it takes to contribute to one of the nation’s top programs.

South Carolina fans have even given her a nickname: “Bangs,” inspired by her hairstyle.

Loubens said her teammates initially used the nickname before she discovered that fans on social media had adopted it, too. She has taken the attention in stride.

Her next challenge is turning that early enthusiasm into consistent performances on the court.

The Gamecocks expect to compete for championships, and opportunities for young players must be earned through preparation, defensive commitment, and reliable execution.

Loubens appears to understand what her coach expects. Now, she must demonstrate that she can deliver when the pressure rises.

Her official college debut is scheduled for South Carolina’s season opener against Maryland in Paris, France, giving the French guard an opportunity to begin her American college career in front of a crowd in her home country.

For Loubens, the journey from France to Columbia has already opened new doors. With Dawn Staley’s guidance, Tournebize’s support, and a chance to develop within an elite program, why Justine Loubens chose South Carolina women’s basketball comes down to one central ambition: becoming a better player while pursuing success on the biggest stage available to her.