CAMDEN, S.C. — Camden High's Joyce Edwards, one of the nation's top girl's high school recruits, will be playing college basketball for the home team.
Edwards announced Wednesday night she is signing with Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks. She made the decision surrounded by friends, family, and her schoolmates at Camden High, choosing the Gamecocks over LSU and Clemson.
"I asked all of the coaches questions, and I feel like Dawn responded the best," Edwards said. "I feel like she's really reliable and someone I can continue my athletic career with."
Edwards is the number two overall recruit in the nation in the class of 2024, according to ESPN/HoopGurlz recruiting rankings.
She said she made her final decision last Sunday after watching the Gamecocks dismantle Maryland 114-76. But it wasn't just athletics that led her to the choice.
"They're highly academic program, their honors program, is something that really attracted me," Edwards said.
“Joyce is an incredibly blessed athlete that has transcended three high school sports,” USC Coach Staley said after the announcement in a statement. “As she begins her college career with her focus on basketball, look for her to excel on this platform. She is gifted with size, speed, skill and an uncommon feel for the game. Her intelligence on the court and in the classroom will not be denied. We cannot wait to begin our journey with this young woman.”
Edwards was named the 2023 USA Today High School Sports National Athlete of the Year after claiming the organization’s Girls Rising Start Athlete of the Year in 2022. The state's reigning Gatorade Player of the Year, Edwards averaged 28.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, 3.5 steals, 2.9 assists and 2.6 blocks last season as she helped lead the Camden girls program to its first state championship since 1981. In the 3A state title game against Wren, the 5-star prospect scored 33 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and had five steals in the win.
The 6'2" Edwards also went over the 3,000-point mark in her career during that state title contest.
She was also the 2022-2023 MaxPreps Female National Athlete of the Year and was named to the 2023 USA Women's U19 National Team that won the gold meal.