Kaeli Wynn Signs with South Carolina: Dawn Staley Lands Another Five-Star Gem
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina women’s basketball continues to build its powerhouse future as five-star guard Kaeli Wynn officially signed with the Gamecocks on Nov. 12, marking the start of the early signing period.
Wynn, ranked No. 17 nationally by ESPN, committed just two days earlier on Nov. 10, becoming head coach Dawn Staley’s second Class of 2026 signee, joining fellow five-star Kelsi Andrews (No. 18).
Standing 6-foot-2, Wynn hails from Santa Ana, California, where she stars for Mater Dei High School—a program known for producing elite talent. She chose South Carolina over powerhouse programs such as Stanford, cementing Staley’s continued recruiting dominance on the West Coast.
“Coming from a basketball family, Kaeli’s IQ and appreciation for the game’s intricacies add another level to her physical skill set,” Staley said in a statement. “She has an unbelievable will to win, but her ability to involve everyone on the team and ensure buy-in to the team goals are what separates her from her peers. She is a perfect fit for our program.”
Wynn made her official visit to Columbia in early September and returned again on Oct. 24, attending the Gamecocks’ exhibition matchup against Anderson. She was notably seen courtside alongside Jerzy Robinson, another elite five-star recruit South Carolina is actively pursuing.
Before her injury setback, Wynn had been dominating her junior season, averaging 17.7 points per game before dislocating her knee in January, according to The Orange County Register. Despite the injury, her talent and leadership kept her on the radar as one of the nation’s premier prospects.
Her efforts didn’t go unnoticed—both Wynn and Andrews were named to the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Girls High School Player of the Year Watch List on the same day she signed.
Dawn Staley’s 2026 Recruiting Class So Far:
- No. 17 Kaeli Wynn (Mater Dei, CA)
- No. 18 Kelsi Andrews
Still on the Gamecocks’ Recruiting Radar:
Staley’s staff remains in hot pursuit of Jerzy Robinson (No. 5) and Fope Ayo (No. 45).
- Robinson, one of the most sought-after players in the nation, is choosing between South Carolina, LSU, and UConn.
- Ayo’s final four includes Michigan, Miami, South Carolina, and Stanford, with a decision expected before the signing period closes on Nov. 19.
Looking Ahead to 2026-27:
The Gamecocks will lose several key players after the 2025-26 season — Ta’Niya Latson, Raven Johnson, Maryam Dauda, and Madina Okot — but there’s good news for continuity.
Ashlyn Watkins has already announced plans to return for her senior year in 2026-27, and Chloe Kitts, who is rehabbing from an ACL injury, will have the option to return or enter the WNBA Draft.
With Wynn now officially part of the fold, Staley’s 2026 class is shaping up to be another elite group — blending talent, IQ, and competitive fire perfectly suited for South Carolina’s championship standard.
