Dawn Staley Hosts Top 2026 Recruit McKenna Woliczko as South Carolina Eyes Future Stars
With the 2025-26 roster locked in, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley is already shifting focus toward the next wave of elite talent — and she’s got her eyes on a major prize.
Five-star forward McKenna Woliczko, ranked No. 6 nationally in the 2026 class by 247Sports, took her official visit to Columbia this week. The 6-foot-2 standout from California is one of the most coveted recruits in the country and has quickly emerged as a top target for the Gamecocks.
EJ Arocho, a national scout for Prep Girls Hoops, shared exclusive behind-the-scenes photos from Woliczko’s visit. One showed the rising star posing with Coach Staley, while another captured her standing beside a wall emblazoned with “Gamecocks” in bold white lettering. Woliczko also posed alongside current South Carolina players including Chloe Kitts and Tessa Johnson, offering a glimpse at how she might fit in with the team’s future core.
Woliczko’s Recruitment Heats Up
Woliczko becomes the first 2026 recruit to visit South Carolina this summer, following a May visit from Saniyah Hall, the top-ranked player in the class. Last month, Woliczko announced her final four schools: South Carolina, Iowa, USC, and Ohio State, with an Iowa visit planned for August.
Her visit to Columbia could prove pivotal, especially given her high praise for Dawn Staley and the Gamecock program in a recent interview with On3.
“I love Dawn (Staley) and the rest of the coaching staff,” Woliczko said. “I think that South Carolina is, when you’re looking to get to that next level, like the WNBA, South Carolina will help you get there.”
She continued,
“They’re just recruiting the best of the best, so then you’re able to play with top players in the country, and that’s what it’s going to be like playing in the pros. I think it’d be cool to figure that out at the college level, instead of being pushed right into that at the pro level.”
What’s Next for Woliczko
Currently rehabbing from an ACL injury sustained in January, Woliczko plays for Archbishop Mitty High School in California — a powerhouse known for producing elite talent. She has stated that she plans to announce her college decision before her senior season begins in November.
With a visit to South Carolina now in the books, all eyes are on her next stops and the final decision. For Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks, landing Woliczko would continue their tradition of securing the best of the best — and building yet another championship-caliber future.
