South Carolina Women’s Basketball Recruiting: Gamecocks Narrow Their Focus as the 2026–27 Class Takes Shape / sportsearchers.com

South Carolina women’s basketball continues to evaluate its recruiting options as the program prepares for future roster changes. While several highly regarded prospects remain on the Gamecocks’ radar, the latest developments suggest that the coaching staff is becoming more selective about its priorities. With a full roster and limited scholarship availability, South Carolina must balance high school recruiting with the possibility of adding talent through the transfer portal.

Ivanna Wilson Manyacka Appears to Move Away from South Carolina

One of the biggest developments involves Ivanna Wilson Manyacka, the No. 2-ranked player in her class. The highly touted prospect has yet to announce her finalists or a formal visit schedule, but she has already begun visiting programs and hosting in-home visits.

Manyacka recently visited LSU and hosted UConn, demonstrating that both programs remain active in her recruitment. Although she has kept much of her process private, the article suggests that she could still have an unexpected visit planned.

However, the most significant takeaway is that Manyacka no longer appears to be seriously interested in South Carolina. If that assessment holds, the Gamecocks will have to concentrate their efforts on other prospects as they continue building for the future.

Six Main Recruiting Targets Remain

With Manyacka seemingly moving out of the picture, South Carolina’s attention shifts to six remaining prospects, along with a newly identified name.

Point guard Taylor Brown is scheduled to visit South Carolina this weekend. She previously visited Tennessee in June and Virginia Tech over Labor Day weekend. Brown also has a visit planned to North Carolina on October 2, making her recruitment one to monitor closely.

At the post position, Zaniya Johnson is expected to visit the Gamecocks on October 2. She has already visited Florida State and LSU, while Texas A&M and Mississippi State are also part of her upcoming plans.

Meanwhile, Jezelle “GG” Banks and Jordyn Palmer have indicated that they intend to visit South Carolina in September, although neither has confirmed a specific date. With only one September weekend remaining for a potential visit, the timing could become important. South Carolina will be in Charleston for an exhibition game during the final weekend of the month.

Another prospect, Ashley MacCalla, has maintained a busy recruiting schedule. She has visited Rutgers, Oklahoma, and Virginia in recent weeks. Her upcoming plans include Cal and LSU, with a Miami visit scheduled for October 23. She is still working to finalize visits to South Carolina and Texas.

New Names and Uncertain Visit Schedules

The article also identifies Avery Arije and Micah Ojo as players worth watching. Arije recently visited Maryland and is reportedly expected to visit Notre Dame and Duke, although the report surrounding those visits contains inconsistencies. Therefore, her schedule should be treated cautiously.

Ojo, who was not included on the previous recruiting list, has visited Vanderbilt and North Carolina. Unlike many prospects, she does not announce her visits in advance, making her recruitment more difficult to track.

Limited Scholarships Could Shape South Carolina’s Strategy

South Carolina currently has a full roster of 15 players. Three players—Ashlyn Watkins, Chloe Kitts, and Brooke Quarles Daniels—are expected to exhaust their eligibility, while Tessa Johnson must decide whether to return for a fifth season or enter the WNBA Draft.

As a result, the Gamecocks will likely have room for only two or three high school recruits. The coaching staff may also want to preserve at least one scholarship for a potential transfer addition.

This limited space means every recruiting decision carries greater importance. South Carolina must identify players who can contribute immediately while maintaining flexibility for future roster needs.

Transfer Targets Find New Homes

Two players connected to South Carolina’s recruiting interests recently made decisions elsewhere. Former Sacred Heart and Texas A&M point guard Ny’Ceara Pryor committed to St. John’s. The fifth-year player had reportedly been considered by the Gamecocks as a possible replacement for Maddy McDaniel before South Carolina ultimately chose Brooke Quarles Daniels.

Former LSU post player Kate Koval committed to Baylor. Koval, who is Ukrainian, left LSU after the program added a Russian player. Following an NCAA waiver, she became immediately eligible to compete for Baylor.

Overall, South Carolina’s recruiting picture remains competitive but increasingly focused. The apparent loss of Manyacka is a setback, but several promising prospects are still available. With scholarship numbers limited, the Gamecocks will need to make strategic decisions as they pursue the next generation of talent.