In one of the most shocking recruiting twists in recent NCAA women’s basketball history, Joyce Edwards, the No. 1 high school player in the country and widely expected to stay home and play for South Carolina, has officially committed to Kim Mulkey’s LSU Tigers. This bombshell decision has stunned the basketball community and shifted the balance of power in the SEC — perhaps even the entire nation.
The South Carolina native, once considered a lock to play under Dawn Staley and continue the Gamecocks’ dynasty, instead chose to bring her talents to Baton Rouge, sending shockwaves across college basketball. But why did she make this surprising move? What were the forces that pulled her away from her home state and into LSU’s purple and gold?
After digging through behind-the-scenes conversations, insider reports, and interviews close to the situation, here are three unknown reasons behind Joyce Edwards’ stunning exit from South Carolina and her commitment to LSU.
1. Kim Mulkey’s Vision and Bold Pitch: “You’ll Be My Angel Reese 2.0”
One of the most overlooked aspects of Joyce Edwards’ recruitment was Kim Mulkey’s powerful pitch—and it wasn’t just about tradition or trophies. Mulkey gave Edwards something even more enticing: a starring role, a dynasty reboot, and a player-centric vision tailored just for her.
According to sources close to the family, Mulkey told Edwards in private conversations:
“You won’t be part of a machine—you’ll be the machine. You’ll do what Angel Reese did… and more.”
The LSU coaching staff reportedly emphasized how Edwards would not only step into the spotlight left by Reese’s departure to the WNBA, but also be allowed to define her own legacy, unencumbered by the system or hierarchy of a program like South Carolina’s.
Staley runs a polished, disciplined system, where even top-tier players sometimes blend into a cohesive unit. But Edwards wanted something different. She wanted the freedom to be a one-of-a-kind, positionless phenom — and Mulkey promised that.
“She saw how Angel Reese became a national icon — from TikTok to the White House — and realized she could do it her way in Baton Rouge,” said a source close to Edwards’ high school circle.
Mulkey’s pitch wasn’t about stats; it was about stardom and impact. And for Edwards, who thrives in the spotlight and plays with a fearless, versatile game, LSU offered her the runway to take flight.
2. Tensions and Philosophical Differences with South Carolina’s Staff
Although Joyce Edwards never publicly criticized the South Carolina program, multiple insiders have hinted at growing tension between her inner circle and the Gamecocks’ coaching staff over the past six months.
The issue wasn’t about the program’s success — South Carolina is the reigning national champion, after all. It was about fit and freedom.
Joyce’s AAU coaches had quietly expressed concerns about how the Gamecocks use their forwards — often in rigid, structured roles. For a dynamic forward like Edwards, who handles the ball like a guard and defends all five positions, the idea of being just another big in the paint was a major turn-off.
“Joyce is a unicorn. South Carolina’s system didn’t reflect that,” one source close to her family told The Athletic. “She wanted to be unleashed. LSU offered that freedom.”
Reports suggest that Edwards and her camp were also frustrated with South Carolina’s late recruiting pivot toward other top frontcourt prospects, which made her feel less prioritized. While Staley is a legendary recruiter, the perception that Edwards was being treated as “just another elite piece” rather than the centerpiece created a rift.
There were also whispers that Edwards didn’t feel the same bond with South Carolina’s staff that she did with Mulkey. Relationships matter, and according to sources, the LSU coaching staff maintained constant communication — even when it looked like she was South Carolina-bound.
That loyalty, that belief, made a difference.
3. The NIL Powerhouse: LSU’s Financial Package Blew Everyone Away
In today’s college athletics landscape, NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) opportunities are a game-changer — and LSU just proved how powerful that can be.
Edwards’ flip wasn’t solely about money, but sources indicate that LSU’s NIL package was unmatched, even by blueblood programs like South Carolina, UConn, and Stanford.
According to NIL insiders, LSU partnered with three major national brands to create an endorsement pipeline worth over $1 million across her freshman year — with potential for more based on performance.
Mulkey, known for leveraging LSU’s brand and media presence, reportedly told Edwards:
“You won’t just be a player here. You’ll be a brand. A symbol of the next era of women’s basketball.”
With Angel Reese already paving the way by becoming one of the highest-paid athletes in women’s college sports, LSU had a roadmap to market stardom, and they laid it out clearly for Edwards.
From modeling campaigns to youth clinics, from shoe deals to social media contracts, the Tigers offered her a complete commercial platform. And when her family reviewed LSU’s financial outline compared to South Carolina’s more modest offers, the difference was staggering.
Let’s be honest: in this era, NIL matters. And LSU played it better than anyone.
A Dream Fit for Both Sides
For LSU, this commitment is more than just a five-star pickup — it’s a cultural and program-defining moment.
Joyce Edwards brings a unique skill set rarely seen in high school basketball: she’s 6-foot-2 with elite ball-handling, scoring range, post moves, and defensive instincts. She can run the offense, protect the rim, and lock down perimeter threats.
Add that to LSU’s already stacked core of Flau’jae Johnson, Mikaylah Williams, and incoming transfer depth, and this team is suddenly terrifying on both ends of the court. With Edwards anchoring the frontcourt, the Tigers are instant national title favorites.
And for Edwards? She now has everything she dreamed of:
- A coach who believes in her as a superstar.
- A system that lets her be multidimensional.
- A financial and marketing machine backing her every move.
SEC Fallout: What Now for South Carolina?
This loss stings. Bad.
Joyce Edwards was not just a top in-state recruit — she was South Carolina’s dream player, a homegrown star who could have continued Dawn Staley’s dynasty and become the next great Gamecock legend.
Now, she’s headed to their fiercest rival.
And worse? Her departure gives LSU an edge South Carolina hasn’t seen in years. It’s the kind of momentum swing that can tilt championships.
Dawn Staley will bounce back — she’s too smart and too successful to let one player define her future. But make no mistake: this one hurts, and it may redefine the rivalry for years to come.
What’s Next for Joyce Edwards?
With her commitment official, all eyes now turn to Baton Rouge.
Expect a full media blitz as Edwards steps into her role as the new face of LSU basketball. From ESPN profiles to magazine covers, NIL launches to TikTok virality, she’s about to enter the national conversation in a way few players ever do.
More importantly, her arrival signals a new era: an LSU team that’s not just loaded with talent — but with superstardom.
Edwards has the skill to average 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists per game, even as a freshman. If Mulkey unleashes her like expected, she could be SEC Player of the Year and a National Player of the Year candidate before she even turns 19.
Final Thoughts: The Move That Changed Everything
In the end, Joyce Edwards’ flip from South Carolina to LSU wasn’t a betrayal — it was a redefinition of modern recruiting.
She didn’t choose based on loyalty or legacy. She chose based on vision, empowerment, and opportunity. She chose the school that saw her not as just another player — but as a game-changer, a future icon, a brand.
And that decision may have just tipped the scales of women’s college basketball in favor of Kim Mulkey’s LSU dynasty.
