Dawn Staley closes the loop on her 2026 class with five-star guard Jerzy Robinson
Just days before Christmas, Dawn Staley added the final flourish to South Carolina’s 2026 recruiting class — and it came in the form of one of the nation’s most complete prospects.
Five-star guard Jerzy Robinson announced her commitment to the Gamecocks on Dec. 23, giving South Carolina its third — and likely final — high school pledge in the class. The 6-foot standout from Sierra Canyon (Calif.) arrives as the No. 5 overall player nationally, according to ESPN, continuing Staley’s run of elite recruiting dominance.
Robinson’s high school coach, Alicia Komaki, believes the fit between player and program couldn’t be better.
“The biggest thing is how competitive Jerzy is and her goals for basketball,” Komaki told The State. “I think Dawn is one of the best people who can help her accomplish those goals, and will bring out the next level of Jerzy Robinson. … I think there’s certain people who can tap into that next gear, that next level of superstars, and I think Dawn will do that really well.”
That belief speaks not just to Robinson’s talent, but to Staley’s reputation for elevating elite players into complete, championship-ready competitors.
“Bully ball meets finesse”
SLAM Magazine summed up Robinson’s game perfectly over the summer: “bully ball meets finesse.” Robinson agrees — but notes that her evolution was necessary.
“When I was younger, it was just bully ball,” Robinson said. “But then, people start scheming. Film starts coming out on you and people understand who you are. So that’s where you have to add the finesse.”
That blend of power and skill is what separates Robinson from most top recruits. Her toughness was forged early, playing on an all-boys team from fifth through eighth grade — and reinforced at home by her father, former linebacker Darnell Robinson.
“I was one of the boys and you had to be tough. You had to really get out the mud,” Robinson said. “Obviously my father, who’s been my trainer, my support, my best friend through it all, he played football. … He brought that mentality into my training. So it was grind, it was blood, sweat and tears for me, and that’s really how I was raised. That’s my mentality in every situation on the court.”
That mentality shows up in every phase of her game.
A complete player — and an overlooked defender
Komaki doesn’t hesitate when describing Robinson’s versatility.
“She can handle the ball, she can score the ball, she rebounds the ball, she plays tremendous defense, and she can score the ball,” Komaki said. “When you’re when you can do all those things, that’s great, but when you’re elite at doing all those things, that’s a whole different conversation, right?”
While Robinson’s scoring often grabs headlines, Komaki believes her defense may be her most underappreciated asset.
“She’s really just a bucket, is what she is,” Komaki said. “But I think what gets overlooked a lot, too, is how good of a defender she is. … Defensively is what we missed most from her. She can guard one through five positions, and she’s a great rebounder. There’s a lot of other things I think that kind of get left out of discussion about her game.”
That defensive versatility aligns perfectly with South Carolina’s identity under Staley — length, toughness, and relentless pressure.
Production even when the shots don’t fall
Robinson’s senior season has been slowed by a minor foot injury, limiting her minutes early. Still, she made an immediate impact in her Sierra Canyon debut in January, posting five rebounds and two assists in just 10 minutes.
Her approach in those moments reflects maturity beyond her years.
“In games, you’re going to not be shooting well,” Robinson said. “You might miss every shot (so) I’m gonna go rebound. I’m gonna go do something else to provide for the team and support and put in my efforts as well.”
That willingness to contribute in multiple ways mirrors the expectations Staley places on her guards.
Built by Team USA experience
Robinson isn’t just a high school star — she’s already a proven winner on the international stage.
She has earned gold medals in three straight summers with Team USA, including MVP honors at the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup and the 2023 FIBA Americas U16 Championship. Across those tournaments, she averaged 15.6 points, seven rebounds and 1.5 assists in 19 games.
Those experiences taught her how to thrive — even without guaranteed minutes.
“Through that experience, you play with the best girls in America instead of against them,” Robinson said. “… It’s all about adapting. You are with the best girls, so you might not play as much as you play on your AAU team or your high school team. And you understand that sacrifice a bit, because we’re playing for the three letters across our chest that are more important than the letters that are on the back of us.”
That mindset may prove invaluable at South Carolina, where depth and competition define the program.
What Robinson could become in Columbia
Could Robinson develop into a National Player of the Year candidate? Komaki says that question depends largely on Robinson herself — and on embracing South Carolina’s team-first culture.
“She wants to be part of an elite program. She wants to win a championship. I don’t really know if you necessarily go to South Carolina to be a National Player of the Year these days,” Komaki said. “They’re loaded. The roster is loaded. Will she make an impact? Absolutely.”
Even if Robinson’s role starts small, her influence won’t be.
“She’s going to be prepared,” Komaki said. “She’s going to know what she’s doing. She’s going to battle every day…Somebody like that is just going to make your practice better, they’re going to make your team better. They’re already making an impact, whether they touch the court and play any minutes in games or not.”
Analysis:
Jerzy Robinson may not arrive in Columbia as an instant centerpiece — but her toughness, versatility, and championship mindset fit exactly what Dawn Staley values. In a program built on depth and competition, Robinson’s ability to impact games without needing the spotlight could ultimately be what makes her indispensable.
