South Carolina women’s basketball recruiting target Fope Ayo revealed on Saturday that her college decision is coming very soon — in fact, the 6-foot-5 post standout will commit and sign on Monday morning.
Ayo, who is also known by her full name Ayo Mofopefoluwa, is choosing between South Carolina, Stanford, Miami, and Michigan. She took official visits to all four programs, with her most recent stop being in Columbia. She was on the South Carolina campus just two weeks ago.
A native of Massachusetts, Ayo fits the mold of a classic interior presence. She rebounds effectively, protects the rim with strong shot-blocking instincts, and uses her size to battle inside on both offense and defense.
The Gamecocks already have one post prospect committed — and signed — for the 2026 class. Kelsi Andrews, a top-20 national recruit, joined the program but is currently sidelined due to a knee injury. Forward Kaeli Wynn has also signed with South Carolina.
Looking ahead to the 2025–2026 season, Dawn Staley may lose as many as four veteran post players. Maryam Dauda has no eligibility remaining, and Madina Okot appears to be in the same position after playing two seasons in Kenya, one at Mississippi State, and now at South Carolina. Chloe Kitts, in her fourth collegiate year, will miss the entire season with a knee injury, while Ashlyn Watkins, another fourth-year player, is away from the team as she rehabs her own knee issue. Because of these potential departures, recruiting multiple post players this cycle is a logical priority for the Gamecocks.
Ayo is widely regarded as a top-tier national prospect. She is ranked as a top-61 player across recruiting services. Rivals lists her as the No. 55 overall recruit and the No. 14 power forward in the country. 247Sports ranks her No. 61 nationally and No. 9 among centers, while ESPN HoopGurlz places her at No. 45 overall and the No. 6 post player in the class.
