South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley announced on Apr. 27 that Oliviyah Edwards will join the Gamecocks with four years of eligibility beginning in the 2026-27 academic year.
Edwards, a 6-foot-3 forward from Tacoma, Washington, is ranked as the No. 3 player in the Class of 2026 and has received recognition as a Naismith All-American and Naismith Trophy semifinalist. Her addition is expected to strengthen the team’s roster for upcoming seasons.
Staley said, “Big Oh already has a deep toolbox and elite intangibles. 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.”
Edwards played her freshman and senior seasons at Lincoln High School while spending her sophomore and junior years at Elite Sports Academy. At Lincoln High School, she earned All-Area honors twice from The News Tribune and was named both Area and State Player of the Year by that newspaper after averaging 30 points, 22 rebounds, five blocks, and four assists per game in her final season.
In addition to leading her team into the Washington 3A State Tournament during her senior year, Edwards participated in national events such as the McDonald’s All-American Game where she recorded eight points and fourteen rebounds along with two blocks and one steal. She also won first place in the “Thirst for the Crown” one-on-one competition during that weekend.
Outside of high school play, Edwards competed in Overtime Select—an elite league for girls ages fifteen to eighteen—where she was coached by Chamique Holdsclaw over two seasons.
Edwards joins Kelsi Andrews (Hazel Green), Jerzy Robinson (Chatsworth), Kaeli Wynn (Santa Ana), as well as junior transfer Jordan Lee (Stockton) on South Carolina’s incoming class for next season.
