Lincoln High's Oliviyah Edwards Just Chose South Carolina Over Washington and Nobody in Tacoma Saw It Coming
The best basketball prospect to come out of Washington in years just committed to play somewhere else, and it happened fast. Five-star forward Oliviyah Edwards, a 6-foot-3 phenom from Lincoln High School in Tacoma, flipped her commitment to South Carolina on Thursday after originally signing with Tennessee back in November. The No. 5-ranked prospect by 247Sports composite is heading to Dawn Staley's program, which just landed the No. 2-ranked recruiting class in the nation.
Why She Reopened Her Recruitment
Edwards made the surprise decision to reopen her recruitment earlier this month, and it didn't take long for South Carolina to make its move. The McDonald's All-American weighed some serious options along the way: Southern California, LSU, Florida, and even Washington had their shot at keeping her home. But ultimately, something about Staley's program and culture resonated harder.
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👉 Claim Your Free $10 at Kalshi"I chose South Carolina because it felt like home," Edwards told ESPN. "Coach Staley, the staff and the team showed me a level of love and belief that stood out. I know I'll be pushed every single day, and being surrounded by that kind of energy and support means everything to me."
What She's Bringing to Columbia
This isn't some raw prospect you're betting on to develop. Last season at Lincoln, Edwards dropped 30 points per game while pulling down 22 rebounds, swatting five blocks, and dishing out four assists. That's elite production across the board. Staley is getting a complete, dominant player who can impact every part of the floor.
Edwards joining the Gamecocks gives South Carolina another major piece for a recruiting class that's already shaping up to be special. The 6-foot-3 forward fills exactly what Staley needs as she continues to build one of the most talented rosters in college basketball.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.