Source: On3
Two members of South Carolina’s highly-touted 2026 recruiting class have been nominated for the McDonald’s All-American Game, positioning the Gamecocks to continue their tradition of landing elite high school talent.
NOMINEES ANNOUNCED
California guard Jerzy Robinson earned nomination for the West team, while Florida post Kelsi Andrews received nomination for the East team, according to On3. Both players represent South Carolina’s continued recruiting dominance under head coach Dawn Staley.
The nominations place Robinson and Andrews among more than 400 players nationwide being considered for the prestigious showcase. The final 24 McDonald’s All-Americans will be announced in approximately two weeks.
Analysis: McDonald’s All-American nomination alone represents elite status—selection from a pool exceeding 400 candidates demonstrates national recognition. For South Carolina, having two nominees from a four-player recruiting class underscores the program’s ability to consistently attract top-tier talent, maintaining the pipeline that has fueled the Gamecocks’ championship success.
ROBINSON’S HISTORIC HIGH SCHOOL CAREER
Robinson enters the selection process as a consensus top-five player in the 2026 class and was recently named to the Naismith Trophy Girls High School Player of the Year Midseason Team, according to On3.
Last week, Robinson achieved a historic milestone by becoming Sierra Canyon High School’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing current USC star Juju Watkins. Robinson now has accumulated 2,355 career points, eclipsing Watkins’ previous record of 2,322 points.
Analysis: The significance of surpassing Watkins’ scoring record cannot be overstated. Watkins went on to set the NCAA freshman scoring record and currently averages 25.6 points per game in her college career—the sixth-highest mark in NCAA history. Robinson’s ability to exceed Watkins’ high school production at the same program suggests extraordinary scoring potential that could translate immediately at the collegiate level.
Sierra Canyon has established itself as a national powerhouse in girls’ basketball, making the school’s all-time scoring record a particularly meaningful benchmark. Robinson’s achievement indicates not just volume scoring but sustained excellence against elite competition, as Sierra Canyon consistently schedules the nation’s toughest opponents.
ANDREWS’ INJURY RECOVERY AND TRACK RECORD
Andrews missed the beginning of the current season after suffering a knee injury but has recently returned to the court, according to On3.
Despite the setback, Andrews’ resume includes impressive performances against elite competition. Last season, she recorded 12 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks in IMG Academy’s 80-78 victory over Montverde at the Chipotle Nationals—a matchup featuring current Gamecock freshman Agot Makeer and Saniyah Hall, the top-ranked prospect in the 2026 class.
Andrews also possesses international credentials, having earned a pair of gold medals representing USA Basketball. At the 2023 FIBA Americas U16 Championship, she averaged 6.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and a team-high 1.7 blocks.
Analysis: Andrews’ knee injury introduces some uncertainty into her McDonald’s All-American candidacy, as selection committees typically favor players who have competed throughout their senior seasons. However, her established track record—particularly her performance against Montverde’s elite roster and her USA Basketball credentials—demonstrates proven ability against top-tier competition.
Her shot-blocking prowess (leading USA Basketball in blocks) addresses a specific need for South Carolina as the program continues evolving its frontcourt depth. The combination of size, rebounding ability, and defensive rim protection makes Andrews a prototypical modern post player.
COMPLETE 2026 RECRUITING CLASS
South Carolina signed four players in the 2026 class, according to On3. Beyond Robinson and Andrews, the Gamecocks secured wing Kaeli Wynn from Mater Dei in Los Angeles, California. Wynn has not played this season due to an injury originally suffered at the end of last season, which resulted in her not being nominated for the McDonald’s All-American team.
Analysis: Wynn’s absence from the nomination list reflects the reality that missed seasons eliminate McDonald’s All-American consideration regardless of prior accomplishments. However, Mater Dei’s national prominence and Wynn’s recruitment by South Carolina suggest substantial talent. Her health status and recovery timeline will be critical factors in determining how quickly she can contribute upon arrival in Columbia.
The fourth member of South Carolina’s 2026 signing class represents a unique case. Standing 6-foot-7, French forward Alicia Tournebize committed to South Carolina on December 22 and joined the Gamecocks on January 1, making her the first from the class to arrive on campus.
Analysis: Tournebize’s early enrollment—midseason of what would have been her senior year—demonstrates both the player’s readiness for college competition and South Carolina’s immediate need for frontcourt depth. As an international player, Tournebize was not eligible for McDonald’s All-American consideration, but her immediate integration into the rotation (she’s already contributing in games) validates her talent level regardless of the absence of that particular accolade.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT: SOUTH CAROLINA’S MCDONALD’S ALL-AMERICAN TRADITION
South Carolina’s current roster includes eight McDonald’s All-Americans, according to On3. The four players without McDonald’s All-American designation were ineligible for consideration through various circumstances: Chloe Kitts and Adhel Tac enrolled early before completing their senior seasons, while Madina Okot and Tournebize competed internationally and therefore weren’t eligible.
Under Dawn Staley’s leadership, South Carolina has signed 22 McDonald’s All-Americans, and Staley has coached a total of 29 McDonald’s All-Americans throughout her tenure.
Analysis: These statistics underscore the systemic recruiting excellence Staley has built at South Carolina. Signing 22 McDonald’s All-Americans represents sustained elite recruiting across multiple classes—not occasional home runs but consistent delivery of top-tier talent.
The distinction between players Staley has “signed” (22) versus “coached” (29) accounts for transfers like Ta’Niya Latson (a McDonald’s All-American at Florida State who transferred to South Carolina) who earned their All-American status elsewhere before joining the program.
Notably, the fact that South Carolina’s four non-McDonald’s All-Americans were ineligible rather than passed over for selection demonstrates depth of talent—the roster contains zero players who were evaluated and rejected for All-American status. Every eligible player earned the recognition.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PROGRAM CONTINUITY
The 2026 class represents critical program continuity as South Carolina navigates inevitable roster turnover. With Robinson and Andrews both nominated for McDonald’s All-American status, the Gamecocks appear positioned to reload rather than rebuild following the graduation of current stars.
Analysis: Elite programs distinguish themselves through recruiting consistency—the ability to replace departing stars with comparably talented incoming players. South Carolina’s 2026 class, potentially featuring two McDonald’s All-Americans plus two additional players who would have been eligible but for injuries, suggests no competitive dropoff is anticipated.
Robinson’s offensive firepower could eventually replace the scoring production of players like Te-Hina Paopao or Raven Johnson, while Andrews’ interior presence and shot-blocking address the perpetual need for defensive rim protection and rebounding as players like Kamilla Cardoso and Sania Feagin move on.
SELECTION TIMELINE AND EXPECTATIONS
The final 24 McDonald’s All-Americans will be announced in approximately two weeks, according to On3. Given Robinson’s consensus top-five national ranking and Naismith midseason recognition, her selection appears virtually certain barring unforeseen circumstances.
Andrews’ candidacy faces more uncertainty due to missed time from injury, though her established track record and South Carolina’s recruiting reputation could work in her favor. Selection committees historically value both current-season performance and demonstrated ability against elite competition—Andrews possesses the latter even if the former is abbreviated.
Analysis: If both Robinson and Andrews earn McDonald’s All-American selection, South Carolina would secure two All-Americans from a four-player class—a 50% conversion rate that would rank among the nation’s best for any single recruiting class. This would further cement South Carolina’s status as the premier destination for elite women’s basketball prospects.
The McDonald’s All-American designation also carries practical benefits beyond prestige—the national exposure and competition against fellow All-Americans provides invaluable preparation for the college game’s pace and physicality. Players who participate in the McDonald’s All-American Game historically adjust more quickly to collegiate competition than players without that experience.
As South Carolina awaits the final announcements, the program’s recruiting foundation—built on consistent McDonald’s All-American signings and Dawn Staley’s proven development track record—positions the Gamecocks to maintain championship-level competition well beyond the current roster’s graduation.
This report is based on information from On3.
