South Carolina and LSU Set for Another Recruiting Showdown Over 2027 Star Sydney Savoury
The rivalry between South Carolina and LSU isn’t limited to the hardwood anymore—it’s heating up fast on the recruiting trail.
Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley is once again locked in a high-stakes SEC battle, this time against Kim Mulkey and the LSU Tigers, over one of the country’s most electric young scorers: Sydney Savoury. The 5-foot-11 guard from Belleville, Michigan, has quickly become one of the hottest names in high school basketball, drawing national attention after a dominant sophomore season.
Savoury put up 27.7 points, 7 rebounds, and shot an eye-popping 60% from the field, earning Gatorade Player of the Year honors in Michigan. Her momentum continued on the Nike EYBL circuit, where she averaged 25.6 points per game and walked away with Offensive MVP honors. Simply put—Sydney Savoury is the real deal.
Programs from across the country are circling. Louisville, UCLA, and Syracuse have all made offers, while Kentucky became the first SEC team to host her on a visit prior to Nike EYBL Session 3. But the recruiting race took a sharp turn when Dawn Staley made her move.
“After a great conversation with @dawnstaley I am blessed to receive an offer to the University of South Carolina!” Savoury tweeted on July 15, confirming the Gamecocks’ official entry into the race.
And right on cue, Kim Mulkey’s LSU staff followed suit, flying out to scout Savoury in person before extending their own offer. It’s not just about recruiting talent—this is about recruiting power, and when both of these SEC juggernauts want the same player, things get personal.
Staley, who’s built a modern dynasty in Columbia and recently added “author” to her résumé, is laying the foundation for the 2027 recruiting class while continuing her pursuit of dominance in 2026. Meanwhile, Mulkey has shown she’s not afraid to pull elite talent from even South Carolina’s own backyard, making every recruiting clash that much more intense.
For now, the decision rests with Savoury, who has two more seasons to weigh her growing list of suitors. But one thing is clear—when South Carolina and LSU go head-to-head, it’s never just about basketball. It’s a battle of philosophies, legacies, and future greatness.
And Sydney Savoury? She’s right at the center of it all.
