Jordan Lee’s Words on Her Transfer Decision and How South Carolina Fits / sportsearchers.com

More than three years ago, Jordan Lee was a highly regarded five-star recruit from Stockton, California, attracting interest from several prominent college basketball programs, including South Carolina. Although Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks pursued her during high school, Lee ultimately chose Texas. Now, after two productive seasons with the Longhorns, the talented guard has joined South Carolina with hopes of taking her game to another level.

“We recruited Jordan out of high school, and obviously the impression was already there,” Staley said Oct. 13 at SEC basketball media days. “I think she liked what we brought to the table. I think at the time, you know, Texas was presented better.”

From Texas standout to South Carolina newcomer

Lee made an immediate contribution during her freshman campaign, appearing in 40 games under Vic Schaefer. She averaged 5.7 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 19.6 minutes per game, earning a place on the All-SEC Freshman Team.

Her second season brought a significant breakthrough. During the 2025–26 campaign, the 6-foot guard averaged 13.2 points per game while shooting 42.2% from the field. Her production also improved in rebounds, assists, steals and blocks, demonstrating her growing influence on both ends of the court.

Lee helped Texas compile a 70–8 record across her two seasons, win the 2026 SEC Tournament championship against South Carolina and reach the Final Four in consecutive years. Given those accomplishments, her decision to enter the transfer portal in April surprised some observers. ESPN subsequently ranked her as the No. 2 prospect in the portal.

Lee explained that her priorities had evolved since her teenage years.

“I think when you’re 16 and you’re making your decision, there’s a lot of different things,” Lee said. “Not only how you evolve as a basketball player, but just what you’re looking for. Now being 20 and playing two years of college basketball, obviously your transfer portal process is a lot more intentional, and you’re just looking for different things.”

According to Staley, Lee took only one visit after entering the portal—and that trip was to Columbia. She announced her commitment on April 17.

“She’s a young person that really understands what she wants,” Staley said. “… She had a lot of questions. A lot of questions. After the visit, she called back and had a lot more questions. I think we made it fulfilling for her. We are pouring into her.”

Why South Carolina was the right fit

The Gamecocks offer Lee an opportunity to compete for championships while preparing for a professional career. South Carolina has captured three national titles over the past decade and appeared in consecutive championship games. Staley has also helped send 21 players to the WNBA draft since 2015.

“She wants to be a pro, so we want to pour into her and maybe do some things that are a little bit more free-flowing,” Staley said. “Texas likes to run certain things, and they’re very, very good at it. Maybe there’s another side of that that she wants to add to her game, and hopefully we can provide that over the next two years to get her to that place where she’s going to hear her name called on WNBA draft day.”

Jordan Lee’s role with the Gamecocks

Since arriving in June, Lee has reportedly adapted smoothly to South Carolina’s system. Forward Joyce Edwards has praised her transition, while Lee has embraced the unusual experience of becoming teammates with players she previously faced as rivals.

“I think change is always an adjustment,” Lee said. “I’m taking that head on and being able to just process and take certain things that I learned and did really well in my two years at Texas, and then transition them to being here.

“It’s exciting. It’s crazy how much we played each other, and it is true now being on the same floor as some of the people that have been one of our biggest rivals in my two years at Texas is definitely different.”

Lee has already shown signs of becoming an important contributor. She started both of South Carolina’s exhibition games and averaged 12 points per contest.

“She’s experienced,” Staley said. “… She is high performing, low maintenance. You really don’t have to say much to her. You can really just coach her up as well. You give her one or two things that we need her to work on to get better at, and she is programmed like that. She needs to know what she needs to do. If you tell her that, she’s going to fulfill that task.”

Her offensive versatility should be particularly valuable. Lee is a career 36.2% three-point shooter, giving South Carolina another perimeter threat alongside Tessa Johnson. She can also handle point-guard responsibilities when necessary, an important option as Staley considers using a committee approach at the position following Raven Johnson’s departure.

“One of the best things about it is our versatility,” Lee said. “I think it makes you know our offense is a little bit harder to guard when anybody could push in transition, and we’re not looking to really run sets. And so that’s something I think that’s really unique. I think all, maybe, five of us that will have an opportunity to play the point at one point, bring different things to the table.”

Defense could be Lee’s biggest contribution

Beyond scoring, Lee could help South Carolina replace some of the defensive production lost with Raven Johnson, last season’s SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Lee has averaged 1.1 steals and 0.3 blocks per game during her college career, and Edwards believes her presence has strengthened the team’s defensive intensity.

Staley has been especially impressed by that part of Lee’s game.

“She’s an elite defender. Like elite, elite,” Staley said. “What we probably lost in Raven [Johnson], we probably gained a little bit back with Jordan, but we need Jordan to score the basketball as well. The same qualities she gave Texas, we need her to be and probably lean on her a little bit more.”

Lee’s arrival gives South Carolina an experienced scorer, a versatile ball-handler and a proven perimeter defender. If she continues developing under Staley, her transfer could become one of the most important moves in the Gamecocks’ pursuit of another championship and her own WNBA ambitions.