She’s being called the “perfect fit” – but could Kelsi Andrews be even more than that for Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks?
The buzz around South Carolina women’s basketball hit a new high Tuesday night when four-star forward Kelsi Andrews declared her commitment to join Dawn Staley’s squad for the class of 2026. A towering presence at 6-foot-4, Andrews currently dominates for powerhouse IMG Academy and is widely recognized as one of the most skilled prep players in America – ranked top 25 nationally and holding the crown as Florida’s No. 1 recruit.
IMG head coach Frank Oliver Jr., who guided Andrews to a national high school title in April, didn’t mince words: he sees Andrews as a “perfect fit” for the Gamecocks.
“She’s an outstanding young woman and an incredible player,” Oliver told The State. “South Carolina has a tradition of developing elite post players. Kelsi’s talent can make an immediate impact there, just as she did for our team.”
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How South Carolina Won Her Over
Andrews’ interest in the Gamecocks wasn’t a last-minute thing. Even before transferring to IMG, South Carolina had been on her radar. Playing in the same AAU program as current Gamecocks like Raven Johnson, Kamilla Cardoso, and Joyce Edwards gave her an inside view of the team’s culture. Add to that her deep SEC family lineage – her mother played at Alabama and LSU (and later coached), and her father played football at Alabama – and it’s clear she’s been in the spotlight of major southeastern programs for years.
Oliver pointed to three big reasons for her choice: the championship-winning culture, the family-like atmosphere, and, above all, the opportunity to be coached by Staley. For Andrews, the track record spoke volumes. A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, Cardoso, Laeticia Amihere – all standout post players whose careers took off under Staley’s guidance.
“If you’re a post player and you want your position valued and developed to its fullest potential – why wouldn’t you come to South Carolina?” Oliver said, noting Andrews has already drawn comparisons to Wilson and Boston.
Breaking Down Andrews’ Game
Ranked No. 18 in espnW’s Class of 2026 and designated as the No. 2 center by 247Sports, Andrews’ talent is undeniable – though Oliver believes she’s still underrated due to early-career injuries.
“She’s the best post player in the country, maybe the best I’ve ever coached,” said Oliver, who has worked with several future WNBA stars.
Her skill set is broad: she carves out space in the paint, displays an advanced basketball IQ, and provides on-court leadership. On offense, she can finish with either hand, shoot with NBA-range precision, and knock down mid-range jumpers with ease. Inside, she’s strong and technically sound; outside, she can stretch the floor – a rare combination.
Defensively, her long wingspan and aggressive shot-blocking force opponents to rethink every move near the rim. Oliver even likens her versatility to NBA MVP Nikola Jokić, earning her the nickname “Kelsi Jokić” among coaches and teammates.
“She can play inside and out, put the ball on the floor, deliver sharp passes, dominate the boards, and impact the game on both ends. Coach Staley is going to have so many ways to use her,” Oliver added.
The Big Question
While Oliver and many others see Andrews as an ideal match for South Carolina’s system, here’s where the conversation gets interesting – could Andrews’ skillset actually push Staley to evolve the way the Gamecocks use their post players? Could she become the most versatile frontcourt weapon in school history? That’s where opinions may split.
So, what do you think – is Kelsi Andrews simply following the path laid by past legends, or is she on track to redefine it entirely? Drop your thoughts in the comments – would you compare her more to A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, or even Nikola Jokić?
