South Carolina's Rise to Prominence

When the early signing period ended on November 20, 2024, the initial Top 25 recruiting classes did not include South Carolina. That all changed on March 1, 2025, when the Gamecocks landed Agot Makeer, the nation's No. 4 recruit from Montverde Academy in Florida. This move catapulted South Carolina from unranked to the No. 5 spot in the 2025 recruiting class rankings.

Agot Makeer's Impact

Agot Makeer, a versatile 6-1 wing, has already made a significant impact. She logged minutes as lead guard during her junior year at Montverde and had an impactful summer with the Canadian U17 Women's World Cup team. Her ability to slash and score, coupled with her defensive prowess, makes her a valuable asset for the Gamecocks. Dawn Staley, South Carolina's head coach, commented, "Agot's versatility and length will complement our dominant interior play and add a new dimension to our game."

The Competitive Landscape

As of March 1, 2025, 99 of the top 100 prospects in the class of 2025 have committed to 51 different programs across six conferences: SEC, ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Big East, and Ivy League. The final commitment will come from No. 1 Aaliyah Chavez, who is considering Texas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, UCLA, and South Carolina.

Other Notable Programs

• LSU Tigers: Secured the No. 1 spot with four players in the top 30.
• Tennessee Lady Volunteers: Landed five ESPN Top 100 commits.
• Stanford Cardinal: Balanced their class with two perimeter players and two inside players, including Hailee Swain, ranked No. 9.

Conclusion

South Carolina's impressive recruiting class for the 2025-26 season has set the stage for continued dominance in NCAA women's basketball. With Agot Makeer leading the charge, the Gamecocks are poised to make a deep run in the upcoming seasons.