Oliviyah Edwards' decommitment from Tennessee and subsequent commitment to South Carolina brought a recent conversation between Candace Parker and Aliyah Boston to light.

During an April 8 episode of Parker's "Post Moves" podcast with Aliyah Boston, the 24-year-old suggested USC as Edwards' next commitment after decommitting from Tennessee, to which the former Lady Vols player was not a fan of.

"Nah. She's not going to South Carolina. She's not going to South Carolina." Parker said. In the end, Edwards proved Parker wrong.

Oliviyah Edwards committed to the Gamecocks on April 23 and also celebrated her transfer to the Dawn Staley-led program with a post on X.

"Sometimes it takes twice to get it right #Committed," Edwards wrote in the caption, which could be perceived as a subtle dig at her first choice of Tennessee.

Edwards is a 6'3 McDonald's All-American from Tacoma, Washington. ESPN ranked her No. 3 in the 2026 class, making her the highest-ranked acquisition for the Lady Vols since 2019, after No. 2 recruit Jordan Horston.

She has been a household name since seventh grade for her exceptional dunking skills, and also came as a runner-up in the McDonald's All-American Game dunk contest.

Edwards also mentioned before her announcement to sign for USC how hard it was to let go of the Lady Vols program, a decision that she wrote with a "heavy heart" on social media.

In addition, the 18-year-old also had ties to the program through Candace Parker, a Tennessee legend. Parker also came to know of Edwards through her viral dunking skills, which led her to strike a deal with Adidas as the President of Adidas women's basketball.

While Parker would not be a fan of the signing, Edwards' addition provides a major boost to the Gamecocks' plans next season.

South Carolina Favourites to Win 2026-27 NCAA Championship After Oliviyah Edwards Signing?

South Carolina HC Dawn Staley would be delighted to add Edwards to the starting lineup after two straight blowout losses in the NCAA championship games.

Edwards joins a veteran frontcourt that includes Joyce Edwards, Chloe Kitts, Ashlyn Watkins, and Adhel Tac. And if there is any coach who can work around so many brilliant players, it's Staley.

While a seventh-straight Final Four is looking likely for the Gamecocks, they last won the championship in 2024. With the inclusion of Oliviyah Edwards, Staley would surely hope to capture her fourth NCAA title since joining the Gamecocks 18 years ago.

Do you think Edwards is the one who will provide South Carolina that extra push to secure another championship next season?

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Souvik Roy