As South Carolina women’s basketball looks ahead to the 2026-27 season, the roster taking shape under Dawn Staley has the potential to be one of the most dominant lineups in program history. With a blend of proven stars, elite recruits, and international talent, the Gamecocks appear positioned to compete for yet another national championship—and fans are already dreaming about the possibilities.
The Core Returns
The foundation of next year’s squad features several key returnees who are already making their mark during the current 2025-26 campaign. Joyce Edwards, who became just the third Gamecock freshman to earn First-Team All-SEC honors alongside A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston, is the team’s top scorer overall at 13.0 points per game and leads in SEC action with 14.4 points per game .
Tessa Johnson continues her development as a key contributor, while Ashlyn Watkins is expected to return after sitting out this season. The addition of these established players creates a strong backbone for the program’s future.
The 2026 Recruiting Class: Elite Talent Incoming
South Carolina’s 2026 recruiting class ranks among the nation’s best, headlined by three consensus top-20 prospects. The class includes Jerzy Robinson (ranked fifth), Kaeli Wynn (ranked 17th), and 6-4 forward Kelsi Andrews (ranked 18th) South Carolina Athletics .
Robinson’s commitment represents a massive recruiting victory for Staley. She is the highest-ranked recruit for Staley since Joyce Edwards, who was third in the class of 2023 South Carolina Athletics . The dynamic guard brings versatility, competitive fire, and championship pedigree to Columbia.
International Addition: Alicia Tournebize
In a major midseason move, Staley announced that Alicia Tournebize, a 6-foot-7 freshman forward from Charmeil, France, signed a financial aid agreement and will join the team following the holiday break . The towering forward brings professional experience from France’s premier league.
Staley praised her newest acquisition enthusiastically: “Alicia has an incredible skill set and basketball IQ. She has great touch around the rim, can shoot it out to the 3-point line and is a shot blocker” .
Representing France in FIBA competitions, Tournebize helped her country to a third-place finish at the 2025 FIBA U18 EuroBasket, where she led her team in scoring at 12.1 points per game and rebounding at 8.9 rebounds per game . Her basketball lineage is impressive as well—her mother, Isabelle Fijalkowski, played at Colorado and in the WNBA along with a decorated international career that included two EuroLeague titles and five French League championships .
The Frontcourt Dominance
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of next year’s roster is the embarrassment of riches at the forward and center positions. The Gamecocks will feature exceptional size and skill across positions three through five, creating matchup nightmares for opponents.
Current sophomore Agot Makeer, who joined the program as a top-five recruit in the 2025 class, adds to the frontcourt depth. Meanwhile, role players like Maddy McDaniel, Ayla McDowell, and Adhel Tac provide experience and versatility off the bench.
The Madina Okot Factor
The wildcard for next season’s roster could be 6-6 center Madina Okot, currently listed as a senior. Staley stated her intention to pursue additional eligibility for Okot, saying “We will fight like heck, fight like heck,” adding “It’s an interesting situation with her but I think it’s worth fighting if she can get another year back” .
Staley will be without Ta’Niya Latson, Raven Johnson, Maryam Dauda and Madina Okot next season, but the program will fight for more eligibility for Okot, who played in Kenya before coming to the United States. If successful in securing another year of eligibility, Okot’s presence would provide championship-caliber experience and production at the center position.
Projected Starting Lineup Possibilities
The potential starting five combinations are tantalizing. Imagine a lineup featuring:
- Jerzy Robinson and Tessa Johnson in the backcourt, providing elite scoring and perimeter defense
- Joyce Edwards as the versatile forward capable of playing inside and out
- Kaeli Wynn bringing size and skill at the four position
- Alicia Tournebize anchoring the paint at 6-7 with her shot-blocking ability
Alternative lineups could feature different combinations depending on matchups, with Ashlyn Watkins, Kelsi Andrews, Agot Makeer, and others ready to contribute significant minutes.
Championship Expectations
With this roster construction, expectations in Columbia will be sky-high. The combination of:
- Elite recruiting (three top-20 prospects in one class)
- International talent (Tournebize’s professional experience)
- Returning production (Edwards, Johnson, Watkins)
- Championship coaching (Staley’s three national titles)
creates a formula for sustained excellence. As fans on social media have enthusiastically proclaimed, if Okot returns with additional eligibility, South Carolina might as well start measuring for another championship banner.
Depth Chart Overview for 2026-27
Guards: Jerzy Robinson, Tessa Johnson, Kaeli Wynn
Forwards: Joyce Edwards, Ashlyn Watkins, Agot Makeer, Maddy McDaniel, Ayla McDowell
Centers: Alicia Tournebize, Kelsi Andrews, Adhel Tac, (potentially Madina Okot)
The roster’s balance of size, skill, experience, and depth positions South Carolina as a championship favorite before the season even begins. Staley has assembled a collection of talent that could dominate college basketball for years to come, ensuring the Gamecocks remain at the pinnacle of women’s basketball well into the future.
As the current season progresses and next year’s roster takes final shape, one thing is clear: South Carolina women’s basketball isn’t rebuilding—they’re reloading for another championship run.
