South Carolina Commit Kelsi Andrews Undergoes Knee Surgery After Major Injury Setback
Highly touted South Carolina women’s basketball commit Kelsi Andrews is facing another tough hurdle in her athletic journey after suffering a torn meniscus and damaged bone cartilage in her knee.
The 2026 post player, who committed to the Gamecocks earlier this month, underwent successful surgery last weekend and has begun her recovery process. While her exact timetable for return remains uncertain, the team and fans are hopeful for a full recovery.
Andrews shared news of her injury in a social media post on Sunday, though attempts to reach her, her family, and her coach for further comment were unsuccessful.
The setback comes just weeks after Andrews’ joyful commitment ceremony at IMG Academy on October 7, where she officially pledged to join what she fondly called “Dawn’s Daycare”, a nickname for Coach Dawn Staley’s tight-knit and family-oriented program.
“South Carolina just felt right,” Andrews told ESPN at the time. “The people, the culture, and the way they care about you beyond basketball reminded me why I fell in love with the game in the first place.”
Standing at 6-foot-4, Andrews has been ranked among the nation’s elite prospects — No. 18 overall by HoopGurlz and No. 30 by Rivals/On3. A versatile player, she’s known for her ability to dominate inside the paint while also stretching the floor with perimeter shooting — a perfect fit for Staley’s modern post system.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Andrews has faced serious injury. She previously tore both ACLs — her right in 2022 and her left in 2023. Despite those challenges, South Carolina’s coaching staff never wavered in their support, maintaining a steady relationship with her since middle school.
“(Jolette) Law was one of the first coaches to watch me play back in seventh grade, and from that moment, they’ve been consistent ever since,” Andrews shared. “Through both of my ACL tears, Coach Staley never left my side — and that meant everything to me.”
Recovery from meniscus surgery can range anywhere from a few weeks to up to nine months, depending on the severity of the injury and rehab progress.
There’s also a possibility that Andrews could graduate early and enroll at South Carolina midseason to continue her rehabilitation with the team’s medical staff — a path previously taken by Laeticia Amihere in 2019 and Adhel Tac in 2024.
While the injury is undoubtedly a setback, Andrews’ resilience — combined with South Carolina’s unwavering support — ensures her story with the Gamecocks is far from over.
