BREAKING: Five-Star Forward Joyce Edwards Stuns NCAA, Commits to UNC Over South Carolina in Earth-Shaking Decision
CHAPEL HILL, NC — In a move that has sent shockwaves through the women’s college basketball world, Joyce Edwards, the No. 1 ranked player in the 2024 recruiting class, has officially committed to the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, spurning the heavily favored South Carolina Gamecocks in what experts are calling one of the most dramatic recruiting flips in recent memory.
The 6-foot-2 phenom from Camden, South Carolina, announced her decision in front of a roaring crowd at her high school gym, revealing a Carolina blue UNC jacket beneath a black hoodie, prompting gasps across social media. “I’m choosing a legacy,” Edwards said. “I’m choosing a place that believes in my growth on and off the court. I’m going to be a Tar Heel.”
A National Shakeup
Edwards, a generational talent, was considered a lock to join Dawn Staley’s powerhouse Gamecock program — even receiving a personal home visit from Staley just weeks ago. But according to sources close to the recruitment, UNC head coach Courtney Banghart and her staff made a late, relentless push that included multiple visits, in-depth developmental plans, and a compelling pitch: be the face of the resurgence.
“This isn’t just about basketball,” Edwards told ESPN after the announcement. “UNC laid out a vision for me. They didn’t just recruit the player — they saw me as a leader, a builder. That meant everything.”
A Program-Changing Talent
Edwards brings more than just five-star status to Chapel Hill — she brings a franchise cornerstone. Averaging 28.3 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.9 blocks, and 3.2 steals per game as a senior, she dominated national showcases with
