How Dawn Staley reacted to 5-star Oliviyah Edwards signing with South Carolina

COLUMBIA — Five-star forward Oliviyah Edwards has signed with South Carolina women's basketball, four days after committing to Dawn Staley's program.

>The 6-foot-3 player who can dunk is the No. 3 overall recruit in ESPN's rankings for the Class of 2026.

>“Big Oh already has a deep toolbox and elite intangibles,” Staley said in the news release. “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.”

>With this being the 14th player on the roster for 2026-27, it's likely the last roster move for Staley this offseason.

Oliviyah Edwards signs with South Carolina Edwards is the fourth piece to Staley's 2026 recruiting class, joining fellow forwards in Kaeli Wynn, Kelsi Andrews and guard Jerzy Robinson.

>Edwards signed with Tennessee but had been recruited by Staley. After all eight of the Lady Vols returners hit the transfer portal, Edwards got her release from Tennessee and reopened her recruitment.

>She visited Columbia on April 14 along with transfer Jordan Lee, who is now on the Gamecocks after two seasons at Texas.

>Edwards is from Tacoma, Washington, and plays high school basketball for Elite Sports Academy.

South Carolina women's basketball roster for 2026-27Tessa Johnson - senior guard • >Chloe Kitts - senior forward • >Ashlyn Watkins - senior forward • >Maddy McDaniel - junior point guard • >Joyce Edwards - junior forward • >Adhel Tac - junior forward • >Jordan Lee - junior guard • >Agot Makeer - sophomore guard • >Ayla McDowell - sophomore guard • >Alicia Tournebize - sophomore post • >Jerzy Robinson - freshman guard • >Kelsi Andrews - freshman forward • >Kaeli Wynn - freshman forward • >Oliviyah Edwards - freshman forward Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at LKesin@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky‪@bylulukesin.bsky.social‬

>This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Dawn Staley reacts to Oliviyah Edwards signing with South Carolina