USC women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley Wednesday landed another highly regarded prospect for her 2024 recruiting class in 6-2 Joyce Edwards of Camden. Edwards announced a commitment to the Gamecocks over LSU and Clemson during a ceremony at her school and followed that up by signing her NLI to join the 2024 class.
Edwards is considered the state’s top prospect in the class and an elite prospect nationally. She was part of the USA National Team last summer. During her recruiting, Edwards made official visits to USC, Clemson, LSU, Texas A&M, Stanford, Florida and Maryland.
Edwards told reporters after her announcement that Staley had to work overtime to convince her to stay home.
“Originally I wasn’t going to go to South Carolina, they didn’t have my major,” Edwards said. “She tried her hardest and figured out ways through the honors program where I can get the most experience through my academics and my athletics, and that just showed how hard she worked. just to not give up.”
It also helped Staley with Edwards that she could show her a couple of national championship rings.
“I knew I wanted to win as many national championships as possible, and I feel like Dawn can get me to that level,” Edwards told the media. “Additionally, I felt like her coaching and her reliability also pushed me there.”
Last season Edwards averaged over 28 points and nearly 14 rebounds per game and was named the Gatorade Player of the year in South Carolina.. She has been a standout since he first played on the Camden varsity in the seventh grade. For her career, according to MaxPreps, Edwards has averaged better than 23 points and 11 rebounds per game. She’s also a standout in volleyball.
“Joyce is an incredibly blessed athlete that has transcended three high school sports,” Staley said in a statement. “As she begins her college career with her focus on basketball, look for her to excel on this platform. She is gifted with size, speed, skill and an uncommon feel for the game. Her intelligence on the court and in the classroom will not be denied. We cannot wait to begin our journey with this young woman.”
Edwards is the third commitment for the Gamecocks’ 2024 class which also includes 6-5 Adhel Tac of Grand Prairie, TX and 5-5 Madisen McDaniel of Upper Marlboro, MD.
USC men’s coach Wednesday landed his second commitment for the 2025 class in 6-1 Eli Ellis of Moravian Prep in Hickory, NC. Ellis chose the Gamecocks over College of Charleston, Mississippi State, VCU and Virginia Tech.
Ellis made an official visit to USC in September where he watched Paris put his team through a practice, and that put things in motion for him to eventually commit to the Gamecocks.
“Why South Carolina? Coach Paris and they believed in me,” Ellis said in announcing his commitment via On3Sports. “They are in the SEC. Big time, you know, with Kentucky and all those other guys in there. Nobody thought I could play at that level, play in the SEC, but coach Paris and that staff really believed in me and really have a plan for me to play there. I just really trust them.”
Asked what Gamecock fans can expect from him when he arrives on campus in 2025, Ellis had a straight answer.
“When I get there, you can expect a winner,” Ellis said. “Everywhere I’ve gone I’ve won and competed on every level. I’ve never been on a losing team. When I get there, we’re going to win, make the NCAA Tournament and hopefully Final Four. And I’m going to bring some more guys with me.”
Ellis joins 6-8 Hayden Assemian of Powdersville as the two commitments for Paris in the 2025 class.
