South Carolina women's basketball signee named top 10 impact player in class of 2026

South Carolina women’s basketball signee Kaeli Wynn will miss her senior season, as she continues to rehab a knee injury. However, ESPN’s Shane Laflin seems to think she will have no problem bouncing back.

According to Laflin, Wynn will be one of the most impactful player in the class of 2026. The women’s basketball recruiting analyst for the worldwide leader slotted Wynn in at No. 10 overall on his list of 25 impact players in the ’26 cycle.

Said Laflin:

“Dawn Staley has an excellent track record of developing impact frontcourt players. Even on a perennially loaded Gamecocks roster, however, Wynn has the necessary intangibles to make an early impression as a freshman. The 6-2 California native is the daughter of two coaches, and it shows. She’s an excellent, intelligent communicator with the versatility and knockdown jumper that should allow her to fit seamlessly into multiple lineups. Her stock surged last winter before a dislocated knee sidelined her for the summer circuit, but when fully healthy she is both a joy to play with, and a handful for other teams to defend.”

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At 6-2, Wynn has some positional flexibility to her game. She has spent most of her high school career playing both on the wing and down low. However, she has gotten some reps as a guard, too, something she is skilled enough to do in certain matchups.

Pending WNBA Draft decisions from injured power forwards Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins, the Gamecocks could have a need at the four-spot on next year’s team. Joyce Edwards will return (though, like Wynn, she brings some positional versatility to the table) and so will Ayla McDowell. The rest of the known portions of the 2026-2027 roster are guards or true post players. In bigger lineups, minutes on the wing could come Wynn’s way, as well.

Wynn’s ability to shoot the basketball could allow her a seamless transition into any type of lineup with South Carolina. If she is healthy next season, she should see some first-year playing time.

The California native sits at No. 18 overall in the Rivals Industry Ranking. She is also No. 1 nationally among small forward prospects. Wynn is No. 3, regardless of position, in the Golden State.

NEW! Message board for South Carolina Women’s Basketball!