BREAKING: Nation’s No. 1 Recruit, Forward Jerzy Robinson, Flips Commitment to South Carolina Gamecocks Women’s Basketball
**COLUMBIA, S.C.** – In a stunning, program-defining victory that has sent shockwaves through the world of women’s college basketball, the University of South Carolina has secured a commitment from the most dominant high school player in America. **Jerzy Robinson**, the five-star guard from Sierra Canyon in California and the consensus No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2026, announced her decision to join the Gamecocks in a live broadcast on ESPN, choosing Dawn Staley’s powerhouse over LSU and UConn .
The announcement, made with Robinson sporting garnet attire and her nails painted in Gamecock colors, represents a monumental recruiting triumph for the reigning national championship program. Robinson, a 6-foot-1 guard described as a physical and versatile scorer, had been pursued relentlessly by the sport’s elite programs. Her decision to commit to South Carolina cements the Gamecocks’ status as the premier destination for women’s basketball’s most transcendent talent .
“This decision is about legacy, development, and joining the gold standard of women’s basketball,” Robinson stated during her announcement. “Coach Staley and this staff have built something special in Columbia. They develop players, they win championships, and they prepare you for the next level. I want to be part of that tradition and help continue raising banners.”
This monumental commitment is the ultimate validation of Dawn Staley’s unparalleled program-building. Robinson is not merely a top recruit—she is a generational talent whose résumé speaks for itself. In January 2025, Robinson became Sierra Canyon’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing former record-holder and current USC superstar Juju Watkins, who went on to set the NCAA freshman scoring record . She has also been named a McDonald’s All-American and invited to the prestigious Nike Hoop Summit .
Robinson’s commitment is particularly significant given her status as a Naismith Trophy Girls’ High School Player of the Year semifinalist, joining an elite list of Gamecock greats who have earned that honor, including Raven Johnson (2021) and A’ja Wilson (2014) . Wilson and Aliyah Boston both went on to win the Naismith Trophy in college, underscoring the trajectory that awaits Robinson in Columbia.
“This is a seismic, program-altering moment for South Carolina women’s basketball,” declared ESPN National Recruiting Analyst Shane Laflin. “Jerzy Robinson is the complete package—a physical, versatile guard who can score at all three levels and impact the game in countless ways. For Dawn Staley to secure the No. 1 player in America over traditional powers like UConn and LSU is a testament to the dynasty she has built. Robinson is the kind of player who can step in and contribute immediately to a championship contender.”
Robinson did not sign during the early signing period, building anticipation around her decision. She ultimately chose the Gamecocks over LSU and UConn, two programs with their own championship pedigrees . Her commitment gives South Carolina its highest-ranked recruit in the 2026 class and provides a dynamic centerpiece for the future.
The implications are immediate and profound. Robinson joins a 2026 recruiting class that already includes five-star forward Alicia Tournebize, who enrolled early and joined the team in January, along with top-20 recruits Kaeli Wynn—a 6-foot-2 forward from California and Robinson’s best friend—and post player Kelsi Andrews of Florida . This formidable group ensures that South Carolina’s dominance will extend well into the future.
For the Gamecocks and Coach Staley, this commitment is more than a recruiting victory—it is a declaration that the program’s championship standard remains unmatched. Jerzy Robinson is not just the No. 1 player in America; she is the next in a lineage of Gamecock greats destined for immortality in garnet and black. In Columbia, the message is clear: The best is coming home.
