South Carolina’s offseason just got a whole lot more interesting. The Gamecocks have landed a commitment from former Texas guard Jordan Lee, and the implications stretch far beyond simply adding another name to the roster.
An Athletic Upgrade at Guard
Standing at 6-foot-0, Lee brings exactly what head coach Dawn Staley said she was looking for. At the Final Four in Phoenix, Staley publicly acknowledged the need for greater athleticism at the guard position — and Lee answers that call emphatically.
During her sophomore season at Texas, Lee averaged 13.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists as a starter. As a freshman, she was already making an impact, averaging 5.7 points in under 20 minutes per game, while serving as the Longhorns’ most reliable perimeter scoring option.
Over two seasons, Lee shot 36.2% from three-point range — a notable figure given that she was Texas’ only consistent long-range threat. On a more balanced South Carolina roster, that number could climb even higher.
A Familiar Foe Becomes a Familiar Face
South Carolina recruited Lee hard out of high school and has had plenty of opportunities to evaluate her firsthand. Across seven matchups between the two programs over the past two seasons, Lee consistently rose to the occasion against the Gamecocks.
She led Texas with 16 points in the 2025 Final Four loss to South Carolina, and the season before, she topped the Longhorns’ scoring with 19 points in a Thanksgiving win over the Gamecocks in Las Vegas. She also contributed 10 points in a January loss in Columbia, and chipped in 12 points during the SEC Tournament championship victory.
Put simply, Lee has been one of the most difficult players for South Carolina to guard — which makes her addition to the program all the more significant.
A Double Benefit: Strengthening South Carolina, Weakening Texas
Lee’s departure from Austin carries a dual impact. Not only does she upgrade the Gamecocks’ roster, but she simultaneously removes a key weapon from their primary conference rival. At Texas, Lee was the floor-spacing piece that created driving lanes for star guard Madison Booker. Without her, the already three-point-shy Longhorns lose their lone reliable shooter from deep.
Addressing a Real Weakness
Last season, Tessa Johnson was largely South Carolina’s lone floor spacer. When 6-foot-6 center Madina Okot ranked among the team’s better three-point options, it underscored a clear area for growth.
The Gamecocks appear to have tackled that issue head-on this offseason. Lee can slot in immediately as an athletic three-and-D wing. Incoming freshmen Jerzy Robinson and Kaeli Wynn both bring strong shooting credentials. Rising sophomore Agot Makeer, who struggled from range during the regular season, shot over 46% from three in the NCAA Tournament and won the preseason three-point contest — strong signs that her postseason form may be the more accurate indicator of her ability.
Add Lee to that mix — someone who knocked down 42 threes as a freshman and 72 last season — and South Carolina suddenly looks like a team with serious shooting depth. That’s a major shift, and one that could make the Gamecocks even harder to defend come March.
