Dawn Staley, head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks, continues to assert her program’s dominance in women’s college basketball recruiting, and her recent placement among the final four choices of 2026 five-star prospect McKenna Woliczko is further evidence of the national pull the program now commands. A rising power forward with exceptional court presence, Woliczko has already made waves as a top-tier talent in her class. Her decision to include South Carolina in her final four signals not only her recognition of the program’s legacy but also her appreciation of what Staley and her coaching staff offer in terms of development, exposure, and championship-level competition.
McKenna Woliczko is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and physically dominant forwards in the 2026 recruiting cycle. Her presence on the floor is both commanding and fluid, combining height, strength, agility, and a high basketball IQ to control games on both ends. Scouts and analysts consistently praise her footwork, rebounding ability, mid-range shot, and her growing confidence from beyond the arc. In addition to her scoring and defensive prowess, what sets Woliczko apart is her ability to read the floor and make the right play — a rare trait for players at her position and age. Her court vision allows her to serve as a facilitator when needed, creating opportunities for her teammates and keeping opposing defenses off balance.
Woliczko’s inclusion of South Carolina in her final four is not surprising given the Gamecocks’ recent run of sustained excellence. Under Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks have become a perennial powerhouse, reaching the pinnacle of women’s college basketball multiple times over the past decade. Staley’s leadership, both as a former elite player and now a transformative coach, resonates strongly with recruits and their families. She has built a program rooted in discipline, team-first mentality, and professional development. Players under her guidance don’t just win — they grow into confident, skilled athletes prepared for the WNBA and life beyond basketball. For a player of Woliczko’s caliber, aligning with a coach who has sent numerous players to the pros and maintained a culture of accountability and success is a logical and strategic choice.
Recruiting in women’s basketball has become increasingly competitive, especially as the sport gains broader visibility and investment at all levels. Top programs like UConn, Stanford, LSU, and Notre Dame continue to attract elite prospects, and Woliczko likely has offers from all of these and more. Yet South Carolina’s ability to make her final list reflects the weight the program carries among elite recruits. Staley’s success is not solely based on wins and national championships — though there are many — but on how she runs her program with integrity, empathy, and intensity. Recruits see that she fights for her players, supports them on and off the court, and fosters a close-knit environment that transcends basketball. Woliczko, coming from a background where leadership and values are often just as important as rankings and titles, likely finds those qualities deeply appealing.
For South Carolina, landing Woliczko would represent not just another top prospect in an already talented pipeline, but also a player who fits seamlessly into the modern game. The women’s game has evolved rapidly in recent years, with greater emphasis on spacing, versatility, and skill across all five positions. Woliczko offers a skillset that mirrors this evolution. She is capable of stretching defenses with her shot, banging in the post when necessary, and switching defensively across multiple positions. Staley has shown a clear preference for players who are multi-dimensional and willing to buy into a team system, and Woliczko embodies both attributes. In that sense, she is more than a fit — she’s a potential cornerstone.
It is worth considering how Woliczko might fit into South Carolina’s future roster. With the Gamecocks having enjoyed a dominant 2023–24 campaign and with a strong 2025 class in the works, the 2026 class will be vital in sustaining momentum and maintaining depth. Woliczko would likely join a team loaded with talent but would also have the chance to earn significant playing time, especially if she continues to develop her offensive arsenal and physicality. Staley has never been hesitant to give young players meaningful roles early, provided they commit to the team’s culture and effort standards. Players like Aliyah Boston and Kamilla Cardoso flourished under this approach, and Woliczko may envision a similar trajectory for herself.
Recruiting battles at this level are never simple, and with Woliczko’s recruitment narrowing, each of the final four schools she’s considering will undoubtedly make their strongest pitches. Much will depend on her visits, the relationships she forms with coaching staffs and current players, and how each program’s vision aligns with her long-term goals. NIL opportunities, though not as explosive in the women’s game as in the men’s, are beginning to play a larger role in recruiting decisions, and programs like South Carolina are increasingly prepared to support their athletes through marketing, branding, and professional readiness initiatives. The holistic package South Carolina offers is compelling, especially when paired with national exposure and the chance to compete deep into March every season.
Another element that can’t be ignored is Dawn Staley’s personal impact. Known for her honesty, relatability, and toughness, Staley often connects with players and their families on a level few coaches can. Her own journey — from Philadelphia playgrounds to Olympic gold medals and NCAA titles — gives her a credibility that few in the sport can match. For a young player like Woliczko, who is navigating the intense and often overwhelming world of elite recruiting, that kind of grounding influence can be decisive. Many recruits cite conversations with Staley as turning points in their decisions, not because of promises made, but because of the clarity and authenticity she provides.
The recruiting of McKenna Woliczko is also emblematic of the new era in women’s basketball, where talent is spread across the country and elite players come from a wider variety of backgrounds and regions. As the sport continues to grow, particularly at the high school and grassroots levels, programs like South Carolina must be nimble, aggressive, and authentic in their outreach. Woliczko’s national profile suggests she has been courted by numerous programs and has had to weigh a wide variety of factors — from academic support to campus culture and beyond. That South Carolina has remained in the mix this far along indicates they’ve done the right things to present themselves as not just an option, but a destination.
As Woliczko inches closer to a final decision, the eyes of the women’s basketball world will be on her. Prospects of her caliber are rare, and her commitment will have ripple effects both in recruiting circles and on the national landscape. Should she choose South Carolina, it would not only reinforce the Gamecocks’ position at the top of the sport but also send a message to future prospects that the path to greatness still runs through Columbia. On the other hand, if she chooses elsewhere, it won’t be for lack of effort or appeal on South Carolina’s part. Staley and her staff have built something sustainable, and while every recruiting cycle matters, the program is structured to compete at the highest level regardless.
McKenna Woliczko’s presence on South Carolina’s radar — and theirs on hers — is a reflection of mutual respect and ambition. Whether she ultimately dons the Garnet and Black or heads in another direction, her talent is unmistakable, and her decision will mark a significant step in her journey as a player and young woman. For now, the Gamecock faithful can take pride in knowing that one of the best players in the country sees something special in what Dawn Staley has built. And with time still left in the recruiting process, South Carolina remains very much in play to land a generational talent who could carry the program’s tradition of excellence into a new era.
