5-star prospect Ayla McDowell commits to Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks

South Carolina women’s basketball got its first commitment for Class of 2025 on Thursday.

Five-star prospect Ayla McDowell committed to Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks in a ceremony at her school.

“I loved everything,” McDowell said of South Carolina in an interview with VYPE Magazine after her announcement. “One thing important to me is I have to be happy wherever I go. I felt happy there. I was surrounded by great teammates and coaches. I felt comfortable. ... I just loved it there.”

McDowell is from Cypress Springs High School in Texas and was the 20th-ranked player in the country by ESPN’s HoopGurlz rankings.

McDowell can sign with USC beginning on Nov. 15, the first day of the signing period for basketball.

The 6-foot-2 McDowell picked USC over Georgia Tech, Florida, TCU, LSU and Mississippi State. She took her official visit to USC earlier this month and said that would be her last visit. During her visit, she was spotted at the Gamecocks’ home football game against Ole Miss on Oct. 5.

McDowell also visited Texas A&M, Houston and Baylor.

As a junior, McDowell averaged 19.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.5 steals, 2.4 assists last season in helping Cypress Spring High School to a 30-3 record and trip to third round of the playoffs.

During the summer, McDowell played for CyFair Elite and helped them win the championship on the NIKE EYBL AAU circuit. She also played for Brazil in the AmeriCup Women’s 18U championship and averaged 14.8 points and 7.7 rebounds.

South Carolina will have some holes to fill with four players in their final year of eligiblity and two more including Raven Johnson could bypass her final year for USC.