South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley announced on Apr. 27 that Oliviyah Edwards will join the Gamecocks with four years of eligibility starting in the 2026-27 academic year.
Edwards, a 6-foot-3 forward from Tacoma, Washington, is ranked as the No. 3 player in the Class of 2026 and has been recognized as a Naismith All-American and a Naismith Trophy semifinalist. Her addition to the team highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen the Gamecocks’ roster for future seasons.
“Big Oh already has a deep toolbox and elite intangibles,” Staley said. “She can score, pass, handle the ball, defend and process the game at a high level. She’s a competitor, a communicator and a good teammate. With that as her starting point, she has the hunger and the work ethic to continue elevating her game. We’re excited to get started with Big Oh.”
Edwards played both her freshman and senior years at Lincoln High School while spending her sophomore and junior seasons at Elite Sports Academy. During her time at Lincoln High School, she earned All-Area honors twice from The News Tribune and finished her career as both Area and State Player of the Year for that publication. In her final season, she averaged 30 points, 22 rebounds, five blocks, and four assists per game while leading her team into Washington’s 3A State Tournament.
In national competition during the McDonald’s All-American Game in 2026, Edwards scored eight points with fourteen rebounds along with two blocks and one steal. She also won first place in the “Thirst for the Crown” one-on-one competition during that weekend.
Outside of school basketball programs, Edwards participated in Overtime Select—a league for elite girls’ players aged fifteen to eighteen—where she was coached by Chamique Holdsclaw.
The incoming class also includes Kelsi Andrews from IMG Academy (Hazel Green), Jerzy Robinson from Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth), Kaeli Wynn from Mater Dei (Santa Ana), as well as junior transfer Jordan Lee from Texas.