Head coach Dawn Staley has provided an update on the team’s newest roster addition, forward Alicia Tournebize, who officially joined the program on January 1st.
The French Phenom Arrives
For those who may not be familiar, Tournebize made international headlines last year when she became the first French woman to throw down a dunk during competition at the U18 EuroBasket Tournament—a moment that went viral and put her on the recruiting radar of programs across the country.
While the talented French forward has been training with the squad and was spotted courtside during last Sunday’s intense victory over the Florida Gators, she hasn’t stepped onto the court in a Gamecocks uniform yet.
When Will She Debut?
During her weekly media session, I asked Staley directly about Tournebize’s availability for upcoming games. Here’s what the coach told us:
“No, probably not,” Staley responded when asked about an immediate debut. “They’re ramping up, though, which is good. She’s (Tournebize) been a pro, so she understands what she needs to do to come in here. Get in the weight room, get a little treatment, come out here and practice a little bit.”
Staley continued: “She hasn’t practiced a whole lot. We’ll continue to ramp her up. We don’t want to just throw her out there; it’s unfair to her to do that. But at some point, hopefully soon, we’ll get her out there in the game.”
Strategic Timing
The timing of Tournebize’s arrival couldn’t be more crucial. The Gamecocks are dealing with significant frontcourt losses—Chloe Kitts suffered a season-ending ACL injury before the season even began, and Ashlyn Watkins is taking a year away from the program.
It’s worth noting that Tournebize also visited Kentucky back in November and attended their matchup against Purdue before ultimately choosing to commit to Staley and the Gamecocks.
What She Brings to the Table
I’ve been reviewing Tournebize’s numbers from international competition. At the 2025 U18 EuroBasket Tournament, she put up impressive stats: 12.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
In professional action with Tango Bourges Basket, she appeared in eight games, averaging 2.4 points on 6-of-17 shooting and 1.9 rebounds across 7.6 minutes per contest.
When Tournebize first arrived, Staley broke down exactly what the French forward brings to this roster:
“It’s needed, her ability to shoot from the outside, shoot over defenses,” Staley explained. “I think bringing (Tournebize) into the fold, we’ll get a lot more (high-low) opportunities, and sometimes when players see other players doing it, it becomes contagious.”
She added: “She’ll be a threat out there for high-low passes, scoring outside, whether it’s the 3-pointer or mid-range.”
A Special Connection
Here’s an interesting backstory I’ve uncovered: Tournebize’s mother, Isabelle Fijalkowski, played college basketball at Colorado before being drafted into the WNBA by the Cleveland Rockers in 1997.
The connection runs deeper—South Carolina’s associate head coach Lisa Boyer served as an assistant with the Rockers during Fijalkowski’s professional career, creating a meaningful tie between the families and the program.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue tracking Tournebize’s progress toward her South Carolina debut. This is a developing story, and I’ll bring you the latest as soon as she’s cleared for game action.
