Five-Star Forward Oliviyah Edwards Chooses Garnet & Black
South Carolina secures its second five-star commit for the 2026 class as top-ranked power forward Oliviyah Edwards from Elite Sports Academy in Tacoma, Washington, officially pledges to the Gamecocks. Edwards, the nation’s No.1 at her position and the best in her state, selected South Carolina over USC, Tennessee, and LSU. Known for her explosive open-floor sprints, rebounding prowess, and emerging mid-range shot, she bolsters a recruiting haul already featuring four-star center Kelsi Andrews, four-star forward Kaeli Wynn, and five-star guard Jerzy Robinson. Dawn Staley’s 2026 class now ranks sixth nationally, positioning the Gamecocks as a title contender with fresh frontcourt firepower.
In a move that shocked absolutely no one who’s been paying attention, South Carolina has once again proven that if you build a roster so intimidating you’ll frighten your opponents into forfeiture, people will flock to join you. Oliviyah Edwards probably heard whispers that she could install a snack bar inside the paint and still be outmuscled by the G-Cock trenches. And let’s be honest: choosing South Carolina is like opting for the ne plus ultra of campus dining—everything screams “Championship Buffet.” Other programs might bring you cupcakes and kindly words, but Dawn Staley offers you slam dunks and national titles—who could resist that? HR departments, take note: if you want top talent, just hire a Hall of Famer as your PR person. It works every time.
NBA Cap Whiz David Duquette Turns Gamecock Advisor
Longtime NBA executive David Duquette, a staple of the Charlotte Hornets since 2011 and former Senior Director of Salary Cap Strategy, is joining South Carolina’s basketball program as an advisor. Duquette climbed the Hornets’ ranks—from Basketball Operations Assistant to Assistant GM—before leaping to the Gamecocks to lend his expertise. His appointment comes as South Carolina doubles down on its hoops ambitions, financially and staff-wise, under head coach Lamont Paris, who is locked in for his fifth season. Duquette will consult on roster construction, cap navigation, and any mysterious basketball voodoo necessary to keep South Carolina atop the SEC.
Because nothing says “we mean business” like importing an NBA bean-counter to tell you how to spend your scholarship budget. South Carolina clearly realized you can’t just out-exercise your opponents—sometimes you need a mathlete to out-calculate them, too. Duquette’s new gig promises to blend salary-cap wizardry with collegiate compliance, ensuring every dolphin-friendly concession stand and third assistant coach contract is optimized for victory. Now even opposing teams will drool over spreadsheets instead of highlight reels. It’s the dawning of an era where basketball greatness is measured in ledger lines and amortization schedules—perfect for fans who’ve always yearned for box scores that read like tax returns.
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