South Carolina landed its third commitment of the 2026 class, and it’s a big birdie. What does Jerzy Robinson’s commitment mean for the Gamecocks?

South Carolina hasn’t had a guard like Robinson in a long time

Robinson is a big (6-1), physical guard who can score in bunches. The last player who fit that description is Kaela Davis.

Davis was 6-2 and in 2016-17, her lone season at South Carolina, she averaged 12.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. Davis was a first-round WNBA Draft pick and named All-Rookie before injuries derailed her career.

Robinson can score from the midrange, hit turnarounds from the post, and finish through contact at the rim. In FIBA play, which uses the same three-point line as NCAA basketball, Robinson hasn’t been a great three-point shooter. But her smooth stroke and solid shooting from high school distance suggest that part of her game will come.

NEW! Message board for South Carolina Women’s Basketball! 🏀

Rumors of South Carolina’s recruiting death have been greatly exaggerated

Getting a commitment from Robinson should finally put to rest the notion that Dawn Staley doesn’t recruit. The only programs that have signed a top-six recruit in each of the last three classes are  South Carolina and Southern Cal. 

That’s it. Not LSU, not UConn, not Tennessee, not any of the programs South Carolina allegedly can’t compete with.

Staley refuses to overpay for recruits. She even joked at SEC Tipoff, “They’re cheaper the second time around.” But South Carolina has proven it will make the money work for players who deserve it.

Landing Robinson and California forward Kaeli Wynn suggests South Carolina has finally cracked the California hoops scene. The Gamecocks have done well at home, in the southeast, northeast, midwest, and even in Texas, but they had never landed a high school player from California (Californians Destiny Littleton and Te-Hina Paopao were transfers).

Assistant coach Wendale Farrow spent most of his professional career in California, and his familiarity with West Coast basketball is one of the reasons Staley brought him in. Farrow and Robinson reportedly developed a strong relationship while he was at Southern California, so he appears to be paying dividends already. 

Patience is a virtue in recruiting

South Carolina’s first commitment came from Kelsi Andrews, a 6-4 forward/post, in October. 6-2 forward Kaeli Wynn followed. When South Carolina didn’t add anyone else for the early signing period, fans got restless.

Then French forward Alicia Tournebize not only committed on December 22, but she also announced she would enroll early and play the second half of the season. Adding Robinson a day later gives the Gamecocks depth and talent in a class that should finish as one of the best in the country.

🏀 GamecocksW newsletter: WBB coverage delivered straight to your inbox!

The Nike influence may already be at work

Nike doesn’t replace Under Armour as South Carolina’s apparel provider until July 1, 2026. As such, Nike can’t reveal any of its plans for the Gamecocks publicly. Nor can high-profile Nike athletes A’ja Wilson and Dawn Staley.

But we know things are happening behind the scenes.

“Coach Staley, they’ve got something cooking up and I’m excited to see it unfold,” Wilson teased.

Robinson is already a Nike athlete. She moved from Phoenix to Los Angeles to take advantage of NIL opportunities in California. Robinson and Wilson don’t just share shoe deals; they share representation. It surely wasn’t a coincidence that Wilson and her agent, Jade-Li English, were in Columbia the same weekend as Robinson. 

It doesn’t require a leap of logic to think Robinson is being positioned as the college face of the Wilson’s brand.