New recruiting rankings for South Carolina women's basketball
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ESPN updated its HoopGurlz rankings Monday and several South Carolina targets made big moves, including Joyce Edwards’ return to the top overall spot.
Edwards, from Camden, SC, had long been the top-ranked player in the 2024 class before dropping all the way to second last fall. Edwards’ improved three-point shooting is one of the reseason she moved back to the top spot, and she remains an elite defender that can play almost every position.
Sarah Strong rose from fourth to second. Point guard Jaloni Cambridge, who supplanted Edwards as the top prospect, dropped to third. Cambridge has not announced her finalists, but South Carolina is thought to still be in the running.
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Justice Carlton, who has South Carolina in her top five, dropped from fourth to sixth. Imari Berry is ranked seventh, continuing her rise from the 30s just a year ago. Jordan Lee rose from 11th to ninth. She picked up an offer from South Carolina in April.
Madisen McDaniel rose from 18th to 11th. McDaniel has yo-yoed in the rankings as a result of an ACL injury, but she is healthy and on the rise. McDaniel has already taken official visits to Tennessee and Georgia and plans to visit South Carolina later this month. Duke is also reportedly a finalist.
Kennedy Smith went from 16th to eighth to 13. She might have benefitted from an initial bump following her South Carolina offer.
After dropping to 25th, Mikayla Blakes rose back to 16th. However, things between her and South Carolina seem to have cooled.
Kennedy Ume dropped a single spot to 28th.
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Interestingly, Blanca Thomas dropped from 10th to 26th. She committed to North Carolina over Tennessee, although South Carolina was heavily involved with her. Thomas is now just two spots ahead of Ume.
Turning to 2025, there was also a shakeup at the top. Point guard Aaliyah Chavez is the new top prospect, replacing Jasmine Davidson. Davidson, who picked up a Gamecock offer in April, dropped to second.
Chavez’s rise also pushed ZaKiyah Johnson from second to third. Dee Alexander and Sienna Betts flip-flopped at fourth and fifth. Canadian Deniya Prawl rose one spot to sixth. All have offers from South Carolina.
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The class of 2026 is ranked for the first time. South Carolina has offered #2 Olivia Vukosa, #4 McKenna Woliczko, #10 Kelsi Andrews, #11 Devin Cosgriff, #13 Brihanna Crittendon, and #19 Rieyan Desouze. The Gamecocks also offered Celena Grant and Jabria Lindsey, who were not ranked.
Follow 2024 recruiting targets HERE
Follow 2025 recruiting targets HERE
Follow 2026 recruiting targets HERE
