The South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball program continues its global recruiting dominance with the official signing of French phenom Alicia Tournebize, an 18-year-old forward whose unique combination of size, skill, and athleticism has garnered international attention.
From Bourges to Columbia: A New Chapter Begins
Head coach Dawn Staley confirmed that Tournebize has signed a financial aid agreement to attend the University of South Carolina and will join the team after the holiday break, enrolling for the Spring 2026 semester.
Staley expressed enthusiasm about the addition, highlighting Tournebize’s versatile skill set: “She has great touch around the rim, can shoot it out to the 3-point line and is a shot blocker,” she said, praising both the offensive and defensive tools the young forward brings to the program.
What Tournebize Brings to the Table
At 6′4″, Tournebize’s physical profile already stands out, but it’s her basketball IQ and diverse offensive game that has scouts and fans buzzing. Coming from Tango Bourges Basket in France — one of the nation’s most respected women’s professional clubs — she has faced grown women in elite competition, a rare experience for a player her age.
During her time with the French U18 national team at the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket, she averaged 12.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, ranking among the tournament’s top performers and earning strong praise for her all-around floor game.
Her athleticism has also grabbed headlines — including multiple highlight-reel dunks that have made her a viral sensation in European basketball circles, a rare feat for women’s players and a clear sign of her explosiveness and upside.
A Family Legacy and International Pedigree
Tournebize comes from basketball royalty: her mother, Isabelle Fijalkowski, was a standout in France, played collegiately in the United States at Colorado, spent time in the WNBA, and earned induction into multiple halls of fame, including the FIBA Hall of Fame and soon the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
This lineage adds context to Tournebize’s basketball IQ and competitive mindset, traits that South Carolina hopes will translate to the collegiate game under one of the nation’s most respected coaches.
Timing, Eligibility, and Impact
Unlike most incoming freshmen who arrive in the fall, Tournebize will enroll mid-year, giving her a head start on acclimating to life in Columbia and to the Gamecocks’ system. Spring enrollment also makes her eligible to practice and potentially compete sooner than fall enrollees, similar to how other international and early signees have joined NCAA programs.
Her arrival arrives at a crucial time for South Carolina, which is continuing to reload its roster amid departures and injuries, adding international flair and depth to its frontcourt rotation.
What This Means for the Gamecocks
South Carolina has become synonymous with talent acquisition and sustained excellence, and Tournebize’s commitment only reinforces that reputation. While she may still be developing physically and in certain aspects of her game, her upside is undeniable — from her ability to stretch the floor with shooting to her playmaking instincts and rim-running ability.
Fans and analysts alike are intrigued to see how quickly she can translate her European experience to the NCAA, and whether her unique attributes can help the Gamecocks in their pursuit of SEC titles and another national championship run.
