Dawn Staley DROPS Bombshell Updates
Why 6’7″ Star Alicia Tournebize STILL Hasn’t Played for South Carolina
South Carolina fans got one major piece back on Sunday when Ta’Niya Latson returned from injury in the Gamecocks’ 65-43 victory over Georgia. But the question on everyone’s mind remains: When will we finally see 6-foot-7 French sensation Alicia Tournebize make her highly anticipated debut?
Despite being seen warming up and stretching with the team before Sunday’s game, Tournebize was listed as out on the SEC official injury report for the third consecutive game—and head coach Dawn Staley revealed exactly what’s delaying the mid-year signee’s arrival.
The Real Reason for the Delay
It’s not an injury. It’s not fitness. It’s freshman orientation.
“She’s been having to do orientations and all of that so she’s missed some practice time,” Staley explained after Sunday’s win. “So we want to get her some more practice time. There’s only school, I mean classes, in front of her, which will be her normal. So she’ll get out there on Tuesday and Wednesday. Probably get a workout in on Monday as well, just to load her up a little bit more.”
Tournebize arrived in Columbia from France on New Year’s Day, just as South Carolina was opening SEC play with a dominant win over Alabama. The transition from international play to college basketball in America involves more than just athletic adjustments—there’s the academic integration process as well.
The towering forward missed Friday’s practice entirely while completing USC’s freshman orientation program. With spring semester classes beginning Monday, January 12, Tournebize will finally have a consistent schedule that allows her to focus fully on basketball.
The Texas Opportunity
All eyes now turn to Thursday’s massive showdown with No. 2 Texas—the only team to hand South Carolina a loss this season back in November. The rematch at Colonial Life Arena at 7 p.m. represents the earliest possible debut for Tournebize, though Staley has given no indication whether she’ll actually insert the French prospect into such a high-stakes game.
Texas suffered a stunning upset loss to No. 12 LSU on Sunday, potentially giving South Carolina an emotional advantage heading into the rematch. The Longhorns will be looking to bounce back, while the Gamecocks seek revenge for their only defeat.
What Tournebize Brings to the Table
At 6-foot-7, Tournebize offers South Carolina something unique: elite size combined with versatility. Her presence would give the Gamecocks another defensive presence in the paint and additional rebounding depth—both crucial elements in a potential battle with Texas.
While it’s uncertain how many minutes Tournebize would see if Staley does debut her against the Longhorns, even her availability off the bench would provide the coaching staff with more strategic options. Against a physical, talented team like Texas, having a player of Tournebize’s stature could prove invaluable in specific matchups or situations.
The Road to Integration
Tournebize has been gradually integrating into the program since her arrival. She traveled with the team to Gainesville for South Carolina’s SEC road opener last week, attended Wednesday’s practice, and made the trip to Arkansas—all while getting acclimated to her new environment.
Now, with orientation complete and classes starting, Tournebize will have the consistent practice time Staley has been waiting for. The coaching staff plans to ramp up her workload with practices on Tuesday and Wednesday, plus a Monday workout session to “load her up a little bit more,” as Staley put it.
The Verdict
Whether Tournebize debuts against Texas or waits for a less pressurized situation remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: South Carolina’s French import is getting closer to making her mark on college basketball, and when she does, the No. 3 Gamecocks will have yet another weapon in their championship arsenal.
For now, fans will have to wait at least until Thursday to see if the 6-foot-7 forward finally takes the court in garnet and black.
