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How Dawn Staley could use Jordan Lee, Oliviyah Edwards on South Carolina roster
TL;DR
Dawn Staley is considering the addition of Jordan Lee, a 6-foot guard from Texas, and Oliviyah Edwards, a five-star forward and No. 3 recruit in the 2026 class, to the South Carolina women's basketball roster. Both players visited the program on April 14, enhancing an already strong recruiting class.
How Dawn Staley could use Jordan Lee, Oliviyah Edwards on South Carolina roster
COLUMBIA — South Carolina women's basketball doesn't need a bunch of transfer portal additions and has a solid 2026 recruiting class, but that doesn't mean coach Dawn Staley can't bring in more of both.
Jordan Lee, a 6-foot guard who entered the transfer portal after two seasons at Texas, and Oliviyah Edwards, the No. 3 recruit in the 2026 class, visited South Carolina on April 14.
Edwards is a 6-foot-3 five-star forward who would add to Staley's already impressive freshman class that includes guard Jerzy Robinson (No. 6 recruit), forward Kaeli Wynn (No. 19) and Kelsi Andrews (No. 30).
As of April 15, no Gamecocks players from the current roster have entered the portal, but they have until April 20 to do so. Staley can bring in players after that date, but players can only enter the portal between April 6-20.
If the Gamecocks add both players, Staley would be back to having the same type of depth she had in recent seasons but lacked this past year. Here's how the two respective players would fit.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 03: Raven Johnson #25 of the South Carolina Gamecocks warms up before the game against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 03: Sarah Strong #21 of the UConn Huskies looks on before the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 03: Ta'niya Latson #00 of the South Carolina Gamecocks looks on before the game against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 03: Tessa Johnson #5 of the South Carolina Gamecocks warms up before the game against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 03: Ava Commer, a student-athlete of Grand Canyon University, performs the national anthem before the game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Apr 3, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Flavor Flav in attendance prior to a semifinal of the Final Four of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament between the UConn Huskies and the South Carolina Gamecocks at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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South Carolina vs UConn Final Four, Joyce Edwards vs Sarah Strong see our best photos
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 03: Raven Johnson #25 of the South Carolina Gamecocks warms up before the game against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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South Carolina vs UConn Final Four, Joyce Edwards vs Sarah Strong see our best photos
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 03: Raven Johnson #25 of the South Carolina Gamecocks warms up before the game against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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South Carolina vs UConn Final Four, Joyce Edwards vs Sarah Strong see our best photos
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 03: Sarah Strong #21 of the UConn Huskies looks on before the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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South Carolina vs UConn Final Four, Joyce Edwards vs Sarah Strong see our best photos
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 03: Ta'niya Latson #00 of the South Carolina Gamecocks looks on before the game against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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South Carolina vs UConn Final Four, Joyce Edwards vs Sarah Strong see our best photos
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 03: Tessa Johnson #5 of the South Carolina Gamecocks warms up before the game against the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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South Carolina vs UConn Final Four, Joyce Edwards vs Sarah Strong see our best photos
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 03: Ava Commer, a student-athlete of Grand Canyon University, performs the national anthem before the game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the UConn Huskies in the Final Four of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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South Carolina vs UConn Final Four, Joyce Edwards vs Sarah Strong see our best photos
Apr 3, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Flavor Flav in attendance prior to a semifinal of the Final Four of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament between the UConn Huskies and the South Carolina Gamecocks at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jordan Lee brings offense, defense to South Carolina
Staley lost her best defender in Raven Johnson but Agot Makeer holds that title now. That said, she needs help.
Lee was a huge problem for South Carolina shooting guard Tessa Johnson in the SEC Tournament championship and hit shots over Johnson at critical moments in the Longhorns' win.
Lee averaged 13.2 points this season and shot 48.2% on two-pointers. She is comfortable shooting both inside and outside the arc like Johnson is, but as of right now, brings in a little bit more consistency on defense.
Maddy McDaniel can defend but is undersized at 5-foot-9, so adding Lee with Makeer and Johnson would enhance the guard height on both ends.
Lee could slide into the spot that Ta'Niya Latson had in the starting lineup, and Staley could continue to bring Makeer off the bench as a sophomore. Makeer did enough to earn a starting role, but her length and skillset might be a useful punch off the bench.
Depth isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially coming off a season where Staley lost several players to injuries. But if Staley starts Lee, McDaniel and Johnson, she'll still have Robinson, Makeer and Ayla McDowell to rotate into the mix.
How Oliviyah Edwards fits into South Carolina's system
As of now, Staley has no shortage of depth in her frontcourt. Oliviyah Edwards would add to the options she has off the bench but would still likely play behind Joyce Edwards, Ashlyn Watkins and Chloe Kitts.
Last April, Staley seemed to have almost too many posts before she lost both Watkins and Kitts before the season started. Oliviyah Edwards could still be a huge addition to the roster and will likely work her way into the rotation.
Alicia Tournebize is the tallest returner at 6-foot-7 but she has a similar level of versatility, playing around the rim or shooting 3-pointers. With Joyce Edwards and Kitts off the floor, Oliviyah Edwards and Tournebize would give Staley flexibility.
South Carolina could do a four-guard lineup and bring Oliviyah Edwards out, or let her work inside the paint with Tournebize or Watkins on the perimeter.
In 2027-28, Edwards and Edwards would be probably be a star frontcourt duo for Staley with Kitts and Watkins gone. If she's willing to play behind vets as a freshman then emerge as a sophomore, it would be a big get for South Carolina.
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at LKesin@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky@bylulukesin.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Jordan Lee, Oliviyah Edwards to South Carolina? Dawn Staley's options
Q&A
Who are Jordan Lee and Oliviyah Edwards in relation to South Carolina women's basketball?
Jordan Lee is a 6-foot guard who recently entered the transfer portal from Texas, while Oliviyah Edwards is a five-star forward and the No. 3 recruit in the 2026 class.
What impact could Oliviyah Edwards have on South Carolina's recruiting class?
Oliviyah Edwards would significantly enhance South Carolina's recruiting class, which already includes several top-ranked players.
When did Jordan Lee and Oliviyah Edwards visit South Carolina?
Jordan Lee and Oliviyah Edwards visited South Carolina on April 14.
What is the current status of South Carolina's women's basketball recruiting class for 2026?
South Carolina has a solid 2026 recruiting class that includes top recruits like Jerzy Robinson, Kaeli Wynn, and Kelsi Andrews.