"I didn’t expect it to be as good": 5-star forward Ayla McDowell reflects on her commitment to Dawn Stanley's SC Gamecocks

Ayla McDowell, a highly-touted 5-star prospect from Cypress, TX, took to a livestream to make an announcement. She unzipped her jacket to reveal a Gamecocks shirt, confirming her commitment to the University of South Carolina for the class of 2025.

The 6-foot-2 wing from Cy Springs High School visited South Carolina on October 5 and took no time to pledge for the Gamecocks. The elite forward, who aspires to play as a wing at the college level, was drawn to the welcoming atmosphere at South Carolina and the impressive coaching staff and players.

“It was just a great environment. I felt loved by the coaches and the players. I got to see everything. I didn’t expect it to be as good as I thought it was going to be, but it’s pretty chill. South Carolina is a good place to be,” she told On3 shortly after her visit.

McDowell also had offers from LSU, Georgia Tech, TCU, Florida, and Mississippi State but eventually picked South Carolina as her ultimate destination

“Everything is very close by, and engineering is amazing as well,” she told On3. “So, I mean, I just felt loved. I’ve been talking to Dawn [Staley] for some time now, and it’s always a good conversation when we’re on the phone.”

Following McDowell's commitment to South Carolina, Dawn Stanley, the head coach of the Gamecocks, took to X to express her excitement over securing the No. 6 power forward recruit for the class of 2025.

“A birdie just flew in the nest,” she wrote on X.

Back in September, McDowell also paid a visit to Baton Rouge. Making an official visit to LSU, she engaged in in-depth conversations with the coaching staff and even attended a football game at Tiger Stadium.

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Ayla McDowell Through the Stats

Ayla McDowell is poised to be a significant asset to the Gamecocks. She played a pivotal role in Cy Fair Elite's Nike circuit championship this summer, showcasing her talent with impressive averages of 13.3 points, 2.9 assists, and 6.6 rebounds.

She is Dawn Stanley's first commit for the 2025 class. The SC Gamecocks’ head coach is also vying for top-10 recruit Agot Makeer and 5-star prospect Deniya Prawl.

In her junior year, McDowell turned in an impressive performance on the court. She averaged an impressive 19.6 points per game, along with 2.5 steals, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. Her consistent play helped Cypress Spring High School achieve a 30-3 record.