SHE CAME, SHE SAW, SHE TOOK SELFIES WITH STALEY: Top Recruit McKenna Woliczko Visits South Carolina—and the Nation’s No. 1 Program Pulls Out All the Stops

If there’s one thing South Carolina women’s basketball does better than just about anyone in the country, it’s winning. If there’s a second, it’s rolling out the red carpet for the next generation of stars. And when your guest is one of the most sought-after recruits in the entire country, well, you bring the full Columbia experience. That’s exactly what Dawn Staley and her staff did when McKenna Woliczko, one of the top players in the nation, came to town for an official visit that had fans buzzing, analysts whispering, and other programs sweating.

McKenna Woliczko is not your average high school standout. She’s a force of nature with a game far beyond her years and a basketball IQ that has evaluators across the country drawing comparisons to college-ready phenoms who don’t just play—they dominate. Her name has been circled on recruiting boards from coast to coast. And now, after visiting South Carolina, she’s seen what the best of the best looks like.

From the moment she stepped on campus, Woliczko was treated like royalty—and not just in the flashy, photo-op kind of way. This was Dawn Staley’s kingdom, and Woliczko was being shown how she might one day be its heir. The visit wasn’t about gimmicks or empty hype. It was about substance. It was about a culture that wins, a coach who builds women of character, and a fan base that treats its players like rock stars. For someone as elite as McKenna, that all matters.

And you’d better believe Staley knows exactly what she’s doing. Hosting a player of Woliczko’s caliber isn’t just about making a great impression—it’s about creating an unforgettable experience that connects beyond the hardwood. It’s about letting her feel what it would mean to be part of a legacy, not just a roster. And for Staley, whose recruiting record is matched only by her win totals, it’s about building trust. The kind of trust that helps a top recruit say “yes” to garnet and black over dozens of blueblood options.

Throughout the visit, McKenna got the full Gamecock experience—from walking the halls of the practice facilities where banners hang like laundry on a winning streak, to sitting down with players who aren’t just teammates but family. She toured the campus, soaked in the electric atmosphere that surrounds South Carolina women’s hoops, and spent personal time with Staley, who is not only a Hall of Famer but one of the most respected voices in the sport, period.

And there’s something about that bond—between a coach like Staley and a player like Woliczko—that could prove crucial. Dawn doesn’t pitch dreams. She pitches plans. She shows prospects how they’ll grow, how they’ll compete, how they’ll win, and how they’ll leave better than they came. And for McKenna, a recruit who values development and culture as much as court time, that’s the kind of message that lands.

But let’s not pretend the optics don’t matter, too. McKenna Woliczko coming to Columbia isn’t just a recruiting story—it’s a statement. A statement that South Carolina continues to be the destination, not just an option. That even with elite programs knocking at her door, McKenna is seriously considering joining a team that doesn’t just produce WNBA talent—it produces legends. And with NIL now part of the recruiting conversation, a visit like this is also a moment for the program to show how it supports its players both on and off the court.

While much of what happened during her visit remains behind closed doors, reports suggest that McKenna had the chance to bond with current Gamecock stars and explore how she’d fit into the team’s evolving roster. The vibe? Electric. Genuine. Professional. And fun—because if there’s anything Dawn Staley insists on, it’s that her players love what they do and where they do it.

There’s also no downplaying the timing. Staley and her staff know how critical this recruiting cycle is for sustaining their recent dominance. Hosting a player like McKenna now sends a clear message to the rest of the 2025 and 2026 classes: the Gamecocks are going nowhere. If anything, they’re only growing stronger. And players who want to compete at the highest level, in front of sellout crowds, under a coach who treats them like family, need to take a serious look at Columbia.

Woliczko, for her part, has remained composed and quiet publicly, as top recruits often do. But if body language, social media hints, and word from those around the program mean anything, the visit made a strong impression. And that’s not surprising—South Carolina doesn’t just open doors; it opens eyes. Every detail, every conversation, every moment of the visit is orchestrated to reflect what the program is: elite, inclusive, empowering, and hungry.

Fans, of course, are already dreaming. Message boards have lit up with speculation. “She’d be a perfect fit in our system,” one user wrote. “You can just see her in the garnet and black.” Others have gone full recruiter mode, tagging her in social media posts and flooding her mentions with praise and support. It’s all part of the experience—being a South Carolina target means being embraced by one of the most passionate fanbases in women’s sports.

But if you think that pressure might scare a player like McKenna, think again. This is a competitor. A gamer. A baller who thrives under expectations and steps into big moments with poise. She’s been dominating at the high school and AAU levels with a maturity that screams next-level readiness. And as she weighs her options, she’s not just looking at who wins—she’s looking at who wins the right way. That’s where South Carolina has the edge.

What makes this recruitment even more intriguing is the national backdrop. With parity growing in women’s basketball, more programs are in the mix for top-tier recruits. But South Carolina remains a gravitational force—a place where winning is expected, culture is king, and greatness is cultivated daily. Add in Staley’s influence, her track record, and her authenticity, and it’s no wonder why Columbia was on McKenna’s must-visit list.

So now, the waiting game begins. Will Woliczko commit soon? Will she take more visits? Will she keep the recruiting world on its heels with cryptic social media clues and last-minute decisions? Nobody knows for sure. But what we do know is this: South Carolina made its pitch. And it was powerful.

If McKenna Woliczko ends up in Columbia, it won’t be by accident. It’ll be because the program, the players, and the people around it made her feel something special—something real. And if she doesn’t? Well, Gamecock fans can rest easy knowing that Dawn Staley will keep swinging, keep recruiting, and keep setting the bar. Because at South Carolina, they don’t rebuild—they reload.

One thing is certain: wherever McKenna ends up, she’s going to make an impact. But if she chooses South Carolina, she won’t just be joining a team—she’ll be joining a dynasty. And after this visit, it’s clear the door is wide open.