South Carolina’s Rollercoaster Recruiting Week: Dawn Staley Misses on Key Targets but Keeps Perspective
It’s been a whirlwind week for South Carolina women’s basketball on the recruiting front — one filled with both celebration and disappointment. Things started on a high note Tuesday when Kelsi Andrews became the Gamecocks’ first commitment in the Class of 2026. But the good news was followed by a series of setbacks as four top targets committed elsewhere.
Emily McDonald (Kentucky), Sitaya Fagan (USC), Isi Etute (UCLA), and Somto Okafor (UCLA) all chose other programs after taking official visits to Columbia.
That left many Gamecock fans asking one question: Should I be panicking?
The answer, according to insiders, is a clear “no.”
“For one thing, you shouldn’t let recruiting have that much impact on your life. For another, it’s still way too soon,” the piece noted, addressing the growing unease among the fanbase.
Even for those who are understandably worried, the numbers tell a more balanced story. Typically, a program signs about 25% of the recruits it seriously pursues. Going 1-for-5 this week — or batting .200 — isn’t actually far from normal. And as many analysts point out, “It only takes one player to make a class.”
However, South Carolina’s recruiting pace has cooled compared to recent cycles. The Gamecocks also missed out on McKenna Woliczko (Iowa), Izzy Spaight (Texas), and Oliviyah Edwards (Tennessee), putting them below their usual elite recruiting standards.
But perspective matters. Just because a recruit includes South Carolina among her finalists doesn’t mean the staff was fully engaged or the interest was mutual.
“It’s hard to call a player who never even scheduled an official visit a miss,” one observer noted.
Why Are Recruits Looking Elsewhere?
There’s no single reason behind the recent decisions. Financial incentives don’t appear to be the main factor — at least not yet.
Emily McDonald reportedly chose Kentucky because of long-standing relationships, while Fagan, Etute, and Okafor — all international players — were naturally drawn to cities like Los Angeles, which offer more opportunities and familiarity for overseas recruits.
“Considering Fagan shared a flyer about Southern Cal’s business opportunities for international students before she ever started her visits, it’s fair to say the Trojans were always her frontrunner,” the report stated.
Is South Carolina’s Recruiting Approach Outdated?
While no clear mistake stands out, one recruiting strategy may need rethinking. Coach Dawn Staley traditionally prefers to get the last official visit, using the pitch: “You’ve seen the rest, now see the best.”
That approach worked for years — until now. Increasingly, recruits are committing during their visits instead of waiting to explore other schools. Saniyah Hall (USC), Oliviyah Edwards (Tennessee), and Izzy Spaight (Texas) all committed on-site.
If this trend continues, Staley may have to adjust her timing.
“Recruiting has changed dramatically in the past four years, and it continues to evolve significantly year-to-year. Everyone is learning at the same time,” one analyst wrote. “If South Carolina is doing something wrong, it will adapt.”
Who’s Still on the Board?
The Gamecocks still have several major names in play. Olivia Vukosa and Lola Lampley (visiting October 16) remain key targets, while Brihanna Crittenden, Sara Okeke, and Jerzy Robinson could also visit. Robinson and Lampley are expected to visit LSU this weekend.
Does South Carolina Need a Big Class?
Yes — but not necessarily too big. With only seven scholarship players projected for next season (assuming Ashlyn Watkins returns), the Gamecocks are thin on depth.
“I’m on record as saying that the Gamecocks need to sign four or five players this class,” the report said. “But after talking to recruiting experts, I’m revising that to three or four players.”
In the NIL and revenue-sharing era, massive classes rarely last long. Building a core of three or four players who will stay and develop is often more valuable than replacing an entire group every year.
The Transfer Portal Still Looms Large
While Staley continues to build through high school recruiting, she’s proven highly effective in the transfer portal.
When South Carolina needed a sharpshooter, she landed Te-Hina Paopao, the nation’s best. When she needed scoring and rebounding, she brought in the top-ranked post player available.
“Since you are a contrarian, you might be saying, ‘But she missed Aneesah Morrow!’ Yeah, well, they went undefeated, so I think it worked out,” one insider joked.
Financially, South Carolina is still competitive in the NIL race, but other programs have reportedly been throwing around what one source called “Monopoly money.”
“It’s funny money that the programs can’t possibly deliver,” one insider warned. “Expect a portal season like no other next spring when a bunch of freshmen who didn’t get paid what they were promised decide to transfer.”
And when they do, some of those same recruits could circle back to Columbia.
As one commentator put it:
“I’m still going to panic. It’s more fun.”
But if history tells us anything, Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks always find a way to reload — and this recruiting cycle might just be another reminder that patience pays off in Columbia.
