Recruiting never slows down in college basketball, and South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball made an early statement in Columbia by landing their first transfer of the cycle under head coach Dawn Staley—a familiar face from the SEC/Big 12 crossover wars.
South Carolina secured a commitment from former Texas Longhorns women’s basketball guard Jordan Lee, a rising junior who spent the past two seasons in Austin. The move comes after Texas defeated South Carolina twice last season, adding extra weight to this addition.
Lee brings proven production, averaging 13.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game last year, including a standout 19-point outing in a 66–64 win over the Gamecocks in November. Her scoring ability and familiarity with elite competition make her an immediate plug-in piece.
The commitment followed a recent visit to Columbia, where Lee was also seen alongside five-star forward Oliviyah Edwards at a South Carolina baseball game. Edwards, previously signed with Tennessee before being released from her letter of intent, remains one of the top names still in play this cycle.
Staley has continued to lean heavily on the transfer portal in recent seasons, previously adding impact players like Madina Okot and Ta’Niya Johnson, both of whom went on to become WNBA talents.
South Carolina is also still pursuing other major targets, including Virginia guard Kymora Johnson and standout center Audi Crooks.
With roster-building now fully shaped by financial realities and portal competition, Staley has been open about the challenges, stressing the importance of budget alignment and avoiding overpromises in recruiting conversations.
Even so, this latest addition signals a strong start to South Carolina’s portal push—and another move that keeps the Gamecocks firmly in the national title picture.
