“UPDATE: The rich just got richer. Here’s a look at South Carolina’s updated roster heading into next season
6’3 Joyce Edwards: 19.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG
6’0 Jordan Lee: 13.2 PPG, 2.5 APG @ Texas
6’0 Tessa Johnson: 12.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.5 APG
6’2 Chloe Kitts: 8.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG (career)
6’3 Ashlyn Watkins: 7.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.7 BPG (career)
6’1 Agot Makeer: 7.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG
5’9 Maddy McDaniel: 4.3 PPG, 2.7 APG
6’1 Ayla McDowell: 4.1 PPG
6’7 Alicia Tournebize: 4.0 PPG
6’5 Adhel Tac: 3.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG
6’4 Oliviyah Edwards (No. 3 in ’26)
6’0 Jerzy Robinson (No. 6 in ’26)
6’2 Kaeli Wynn (No. 19 in ’26)
6’3 Kelsi Andrews (No. 30 in ’26)Sheesh! 🔥🏆✨”*
Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks Are Built Different for Next Season
If there were any doubts about South Carolina’s dominance heading into next season, one look at their updated roster will put them to rest immediately. Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks are not just reloading — they are upgrading at every position, assembling what could arguably be one of the most physically imposing and talented rosters in women’s college basketball history.
Roster Breakdown — South Carolina 2025–26
| Player | Height | Stats/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Joyce Edwards | 6’3″ | 19.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG |
| Jordan Lee | 6’0″ | 13.2 PPG, 2.5 APG (Transfer — Texas) |
| Tessa Johnson | 6’0″ | 12.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.5 APG |
| Chloe Kitts | 6’2″ | 8.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG (career) |
| Ashlyn Watkins | 6’3″ | 7.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.7 BPG (career) |
| Agot Makeer | 6’1″ | 7.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG |
| Maddy McDaniel | 5’9″ | 4.3 PPG, 2.7 APG |
| Ayla McDowell | 6’1″ | 4.1 PPG |
| Alicia Tournebize | 6’7″ | 4.0 PPG |
| Adhel Tac | 6’5″ | 3.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG |
| Oliviyah Edwards | 6’4″ | #3 Recruit — Class of ’26 |
| Jerzy Robinson | 6’0″ | #6 Recruit — Class of ’26 |
| Kaeli Wynn | 6’2″ | #19 Recruit — Class of ’26 |
| Kelsi Andrews | 6’3″ | #30 Recruit — Class of ’26 |
Key Analysis
The Height Advantage is Real
With an average roster height of 6’2″, South Carolina will be physically overwhelming on both ends of the floor. From the 5’9″ Maddy McDaniel at the guard position all the way up to the towering 6’7″ Alicia Tournebize, the Gamecocks have size and length at every single position — something very few programs in the country can match.
The Veteran Core is Dominant
Joyce Edwards leads the charge as the clear go-to scorer at 19.2 PPG, while Jordan Lee brings a proven 13+ PPG scoring punch from her time at Texas. Tessa Johnson adds a well-rounded 12.8 PPG with solid assist numbers, giving South Carolina three legitimate double-digit scoring threats right out of the gate.
The Recruiting Class Seals the Deal
The addition of Oliviyah Edwards (No. 3 nationally) — the recruit Candace Parker famously said would not go to South Carolina — headlines an incoming class that also features Jerzy Robinson (No. 6), Kaeli Wynn (No. 19), and Kelsi Andrews (No. 30). That is four top-30 recruits joining an already veteran-laden squad. That is simply unheard of.
The Bottom Line
Dawn Staley has constructed a roster that blends elite experience, transfer portal savvy, and top-tier recruiting in a way that looks nearly unstoppable on paper. The Gamecocks are not just the favorites — they are in a class entirely of their own heading into next season.
The rich truly just got richer.
