“POWER MOVES IN COLUMBIA: South Carolina Women’s Basketball Coach Dawn Staley Enlists Football’s Shane Beamer to Welcome No. 5-Ranked 2026 PF McKenna Woliczko During Official Visit — A Cross-Sport Recruiting Masterstroke That Signals the Gamecocks Are All-In on Landing the Nation’s Most Coveted Frontcourt Star”
By ChatGPT Recruiting Insider | July 13, 2025
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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA —
In the high-stakes world of college recruiting, the smallest detail can turn the tide. But what happened this past weekend in Columbia was no small detail — it was a coordinated masterstroke.
During her official visit to the University of South Carolina, McKenna Woliczko, the No. 5 overall recruit in the 2026 class and one of the most dominant frontcourt prospects in the country, received more than just the red carpet treatment. She got something rarely seen — a full-on, cross-sport welcome from not only head women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley, but also from Gamecocks football head coach Shane Beamer.
Yes, two of the university’s biggest power players teamed up for one recruiting visit — and if that doesn’t show how badly South Carolina wants McKenna Woliczko in garnet and black, nothing will.
> “It was powerful,” one recruiting insider told ChatGPT. “When you see two elite coaches from different sports making time to personally welcome you — that tells a recruit everything they need to know about how much you’re wanted.”
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WHO IS MCKENNA WOLICZKO?
Standing 6-foot-3 and playing with a blend of finesse and ferocity, McKenna Woliczko is a once-in-a-decade talent. Hailing from Archbishop Mitty High School in California — the same elite program that produced WNBA star Haley Jones — Woliczko has built a reputation as a high-IQ forward with elite footwork, strong rebounding instincts, and an improving perimeter game.
As a sophomore, she averaged 21.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game, earning All-State and Gatorade Player of the Year finalist honors. Coaches across the nation have marveled at her composure, coachability, and competitive fire.
She currently holds offers from Stanford, UConn, LSU, Notre Dame, and South Carolina, and is expected to take official visits to each before making her decision in early 2026.
> “She plays like a senior in college already,” one Pac-12 scout noted. “She doesn’t just dominate — she leads.”
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STIRRING THE POT: STALEY’S BRILLIANT RECRUITING CHESS MOVE
Dawn Staley doesn’t just win games — she wins the room, and she’s known for her innovative and heartfelt approach to recruiting. But this move — involving Shane Beamer in the recruitment of a women’s basketball player — takes things to another level.
The visit reportedly included a private sit-down where Beamer spoke to Woliczko about leadership, legacy, and the unique athletic family culture at South Carolina. His presence helped paint a picture of a unified, powerhouse athletic department that supports one another — no matter the sport.
> “This is what makes South Carolina different,” Staley reportedly told Woliczko. “We’re not just a team — we’re a family. And that family extends beyond the hardwood.”
According to sources close to the visit, Woliczko and her family were “blown away” by the attention and effort from not just the women’s basketball program, but the broader Gamecock athletic family.
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WHY THIS MATTERS
Involving Beamer wasn’t just symbolic — it was strategic.
It showcased that South Carolina views McKenna Woliczko as a cornerstone piece of its future, worthy of presidential-level attention. It also showed unity — something recruits and their families increasingly value in an era of transfer portals, NIL volatility, and constant coaching changes.
And it worked.
> “This visit elevated South Carolina’s standing significantly,” one West Coast recruiting analyst said. “She was already impressed with the tradition, but now she sees herself being part of something bigger.”
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WHERE THINGS STAND NOW
McKenna Woliczko still has multiple visits to go — including a highly anticipated stop at Stanford, which is considered the hometown favorite, and UConn, the perennial powerhouse. But South Carolina’s visit is now being described as “the most impactful experience” so far in her recruiting process.
The combination of Dawn Staley’s championship résumé, elite player development, and now the institution-wide buy-in symbolized by Beamer’s involvement, has pushed South Carolina into what insiders are calling the top 2 of her recruitment.
And don’t be surprised if Columbia gets another visit before it’s all over.
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FINAL THOUGHT: THE GAMECOCKS JUST REDEFINED RECRUITING CULTURE
In a world where many universities keep their sports programs operating in silos, South Carolina just reminded everyone what real recruiting unity looks like.
By involving Shane Beamer in McKenna Woliczko’s visit, the Gamecocks delivered a clear message:
> “We’re not just building teams — we’re building leaders. Together.”
It’s a culture recruits can feel. And it’s a culture that wins.
Whether Woliczko ultimately commits to South Carolina or not, one thing is clear:
The Gamecocks are swinging big.
And with leaders like Staley and Beamer at the helm,
they’re swinging smarter than anyone else in the game.
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