Dawn Staley Plans Strategic Roles for Jordan Lee, Oliviyah Edwards at South Carolina
South Carolina’s women’s basketball program does not require many transfer additions. Coach Dawn Staley has a strong 2026 recruiting class but remains open to adding talent.
Jordan Lee and Oliviyah Edwards visited Columbia on April 14. Staley has outlined strategic roles for both players within the South Carolina rotation.
Jordan Lee: profile and fit
Lee is a 6-foot guard who entered the transfer portal after two seasons at Texas. She averaged 13.2 points this season and shot 48.2 percent on two-pointers.
Lee troubled South Carolina’s Tessa Johnson in the SEC Tournament final. Her scoring and improving defense would boost the backcourt.
She could slide into the starting role Ta’Niya Latson left behind. That would give Coach Staley more guard length and defensive options.
Returners such as Maddy McDaniel, Agot Makeer and Tessa Johnson would form a deeper rotation. Jerzy Robinson and Ayla McDowell add further depth.
Oliviyah Edwards: frontcourt outlook
Oliviyah Edwards is a 6-foot-3, five-star forward and the No. 3 recruit in 2026. She visited Columbia on April 14.
Edwards would likely back up Joyce Edwards, Ashlyn Watkins and Chloe Kitts initially. South Carolina already has frontcourt options, including 6-foot-7 Alicia Tournebize.
That pairing would give Coach Staley multiple lineup choices. Edwards could play on the perimeter or inside the paint depending on matchups.
By 2027-28, she and Joyce Edwards could form a strong frontcourt duo. A patient freshman year behind veterans could lead to a bigger role later.
Transfer portal timing and roster implications
The NCAA transfer portal window ran April 6-20. Players could only enter during that span.
Coaches may still add players after April 20, but entrants had to meet the deadline. As of April 15, no South Carolina players had entered the portal.
The team faced a season hampered by injuries last year. Adding both Jordan Lee and Oliviyah Edwards would restore depth lost last season.
What adding both would mean
More depth could help with minutes management and matchup flexibility. Staley would regain the kind of rotation balance she used in recent successful seasons.
Filmogaz.com reports Staley continues to shape her roster. Expect updates as recruiting decisions and portal movements finalize.
