South Carolina Women’s Basketball Loses Key Transfer Portal Target
South Carolina women’s basketball received mixed news on the recruiting front this week, as one transfer commitment came in while another prospect chose to stay put.
Dawn Staley secured her first transfer portal addition of the cycle on Thursday, with Texas wing Jordan Lee pledging to join the Gamecocks. The positive news was tempered on Friday, however, when Virginia guard Kymora Johnson announced she would be withdrawing from the transfer portal and returning to Charlottesville for her final season of collegiate eligibility. The All-ACC performer will not be suiting up in garnet and black for the 2026-2027 campaign.
Johnson had been considered a prime target for South Carolina. Earlier this month at Final Four festivities in Phoenix, Staley publicly acknowledged her desire to strengthen the program’s perimeter athleticism through the portal, and hinted at a need for additional depth at the point guard position — a role Johnson would have addressed on both fronts.
Another name that had appeared on South Carolina’s radar was Oklahoma combo guard Zya Vann, though reports suggest that interest was less pronounced. Vann ultimately committed to Texas on Friday, further narrowing the Gamecocks’ options at the position.
The departures of starting point guard Raven Johnson and combo guard Ta’Niya Latson to the WNBA leave a noticeable void in the backcourt. South Carolina returns backup point guard Maddy McDaniel, along with Agot Makeer and off-ball guard Tessa Johnson. Five-star 2026 signee Jerzy Robinson, while not a traditional point guard, is considered capable with the ball in her hands.
The transfer portal window remains open through Monday. Players who enter during this period may still arrange visits and finalize commitments after the window closes.
