South Carolina forward Alicia Tournebize was in a boot on her left foot and sat out the No. 1 Gamecocks’ 84-39 win over North Carolina in the Ally Tipoff at Spectrum Center on Nov. 8. Coach Dawn Staley gave a short update on her status after the game.
What Staley Said
“She’s OK. She sustained a lower-leg injury,” Staley said after the win over UNC.
Staley did not say when the injury happened.
Tournebize’s Early Season Role
The 6-foot-7 sophomore played only three minutes in South Carolina’s 101-93 season-opening win over Maryland in Paris on Nov. 2. She did not attempt a shot, picked up two fouls and blocked one shot.
Background on the French Forward
Tournebize, a native of France, joined the program in December. In 20 games last season, she averaged four points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. This is her first full season with the Gamecocks, and she is expected to be a key reserve in a deep frontcourt.
A Rare Skill Set
Tournebize has the height and length of a traditional center, but her game is as fluid as a wing guard’s. When she arrived, South Carolina already had a true center in 6-foot-6 Madina Okot. That allowed Tournebize to settle into the system while working mostly around the middle of the paint.
She has not yet dunked in a college game, but she threw down both one-handed and two-handed dunks as a professional. She has said she understands why fans get excited when she touches the ball, but she doesn’t ever want to force a dunk.
Bottom Line
For now, Tournebize’s injury looks like a minor setback, and Staley’s tone suggests no cause for alarm. Still, with no timeline given, her status is worth watching, especially with Clemson and a run of ranked opponents coming up. A healthy Tournebize gives South Carolina a rare mix of size and skill off the bench.
