The South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball program is once again making headlines on the recruiting trail, but despite a major boost, they're still chasing the top spot in the 2026 class rankings.

ESPN released its final rankings for the 2026 recruiting class on May 1, and head coach Dawn Staley's squad has climbed to No. 2 overall—marking just the third time in program history they've reached that elite level. The Gamecocks originally sat at No. 4, but the addition of five-star forward Oliviyah Edwards propelled them up two spots.

Edwards, a 6-foot-3 powerhouse ranked third in her class, is a game-changing talent. She decommitted from Tennessee on April 7, visited South Carolina just a week later on April 14, and committed to the Gamecocks nine days after that. Her versatility and size make her a perfect fit for Staley's fast-paced, physical system.

However, South Carolina still isn't sitting at the top of the mountain. That honor belongs to Southern Cal, which holds the No. 1 overall spot thanks to a loaded class headlined by Saniyah Hall—the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2026 class—and No. 5 prospect Sara Okeke. The Trojans have built a formidable foundation for the future.

For Gamecocks fans, this is still a huge win. Landing a top-three recruit like Edwards shows that South Carolina remains a premier destination for elite talent. With Staley at the helm and a roster that continues to reload, the No. 2 ranking is a sign that the dynasty is far from finished—it's just getting started.