COLUMBIA — South Carolina women’s basketball is a finalist for Oliviyah Edwards, the No. 2 recruit in the class of 2026 who has been dunking since seventh grade.
Edwards is a 6-foot-3, five-star rated forward according to ESPN’s rankings. She sits behind Saniyah Hall, who committed to Southern Cal on July 25.
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On Aug. 6, Edwards revealed that coach Dawn Staley’s program is in her final six. She will be taking her official visit to Columbia from Sept. 19-21. Though Staley typically takes recruits to South Carolina football games, the Gamecocks will be on the road during Edwards’ visit.
According to her social media, she plans to make a decision before November. Edwards went from 10 schools to South Carolina, Southern Cal, Tennessee, LSU, Washington and Florida. She’s from Tacoma, Washington, and plays for Lincoln High School and Overtime Select.
Edwards was in town last January when South Carolina and Staley beat LSU in Colonial Life Arena.
She told Yahoo Sports she is leaning toward one program but wants to take official visits before an announcement.
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Edwards’ skills caught the attention of Tennessee legend Candace Parker. She’s visiting the Lady Vols program the weekend of Sept. 12-14, right before she comes to Columbia.
Staley is expected to have 6-3 forward Ashlyn Watkins back for the 2026-27 season, as Watkins revealed July 25 that she’s taking an entire year off from basketball. Though Staley returns Watkins, she loses Chloe Kitts, Madina Okot (unless eligibilty changes) and Maryam Dauda.
Adding a player as skilled as Edwards would be a major get for the Gamecocks, who also just hosted McKenna Woliczko, a five-star power forward in the class of 2026.
MUST READ: When will Dawn Staley, South Carolina women’s basketball face MiLaysia Fulwiley, LSU?
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Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina women’s basketball in Oliviyah Edwards’ final 6 schools
