Head coach Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks have landed one of the nation's top high school recruits, as five-star forward Oliviyah Edwards has committed to the program ahead of the 2026-27 season. Edwards is the No. 3 recruit in the SportsCenter Next 100 class of 2026.
Edwards stands at 6 feet 3 inches and hails from Tacoma, Washington. She joins a 2026 South Carolina recruiting class littered with talent from the West Coast, as five-star commits Jerzy Robinson and Kaeli Wynn are both California natives. Robinson is the No. 6 recruit in the SportsCenter Next 100 class of 2026.
"She possesses a physical toolbox that no one else has," 247Sports Director of Women's Basketball Scouting Brandon Clay said. "Her calling card is her willingness to rebound the basketball and be impactful in the paint."
Named a McDonald's All-American in high school, the addition of Edwards to the Gamecocks' 2026 class positions the team with the highest average prospect rating of any team with three or more commits, per 247Sports.
South Carolina was among six finalists prior to her commitment to the Lady Volunteers in the fall. Tennessee lost eight players to the transfer portal following the team's eight-game losing streak to conclude the season, including losing 11 of its last 13 games.
Edwards requested a release from her national letter of intent with Tennessee on April 6. One week later, she was spotted at South Carolina's baseball game on April 14 alongside Staley and Gamecock players. The same recruiting pitch was used on transfer guard Jordan Lee, who committed to the Gamecocks on April 16.
"Sometimes it takes twice to get it right," Edwards said in an announcement on X, formerly Twitter.
Taking visits with both Louisville and Texas after her visit with South Carolina, Edwards ultimately chose Staley and the Gamecocks as her future home. She marks the fifth incoming player to South Carolina's roster this coming season.