South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley on hand to recruit five-star at Nike showcase

On Friday, South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley was on the road. In Louisville, Kentucky, the Gamecock boss took in the Nike EYBL Run 4 the Roses showcase. Among the talented players participating in the event, five-star post player Olivia Vukosa was front and center. Her Philly Rise team took the court for one of the morning contests.

“Big O” has been dominant during this spring and summer’s circuit, and, unsurprisingly, she had another strong showing on Friday.

With a top seven that includes South Carolina, UConn, Kentucky, Texas, LSU, North Carolina, and Ohio State, Vukosa named the Gamecocks a finalist this spring. She told On3’s Talia Goodman that her relationship with the USC staff is strong. “Coach [Dawn] Staley is a great person. I don’t get to talk to them all the time, but when I do, it is like the conversation picks up right where it left off. She has brought great energy, and so does her whole staff.”

Vukosa has set an official visit to LSU but has not publicly scheduled one to South Carolina.

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The Christ the King Regional High School product could play power forward or center at the next level. Her combination of size–she is listed at 6-5–and skill makes her one of the most versatile offensive weapons in the class. Vukosa’s low-post ability might be the best in the country, and she is a proficient mid-range jump shooter who sometimes extends her range to the 3-point arc.

The On3 industry ranking considers Vukosa as the No. 5 overall player in the country. She’s also No. 2 among power forwards and No. 1 in the state of New York.

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