𝗡𝗼.𝟭 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗮 ..

𝗡𝗼.𝟭 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗿

No. 1 Top Player in America Gives Reasons for Committing to South Carolina Women’s Basketball Over Tennessee and Georgia

In a seismic moment for college women’s basketball, the No. 1 high school player in America, Amiyah Washington, has officially committed to the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, choosing Dawn Staley’s powerhouse program over other elite contenders including the Tennessee Lady Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs. Her decision, which reverberated across the recruiting landscape, speaks volumes not only about the strength of South Carolina’s program but also about her trust in the Gamecocks’ culture, development system, and national championship ambitions.

A Program of Champions

In a televised announcement aired live on ESPNW, Washington explained why she made the decision that stunned Vols and Bulldogs fans alike.

> “I chose South Carolina because it’s more than just a basketball program — it’s a legacy,” Washington said. “Coach Staley has built a family here, and she knows how to win while also building strong women off the court. That’s what I want to be a part of.”

Indeed, the Gamecocks’ recent dominance in women’s college basketball has been unprecedented. With multiple Final Four appearances and national titles in recent years, South Carolina is widely recognized as the standard in the sport. Washington, a 6-foot-3 versatile wing with elite ball-handling, scoring, and defensive instincts, is expected to make an immediate impact on the already stacked roster.

Development and Exposure

Another key factor in her decision was player development. South Carolina has become a pipeline to the WNBA, producing stars like A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, and Zia Cooke in recent years. Washington made clear that she is eyeing the next level, and believes that South Carolina offers the best path.

> “Coach Staley has walked the path herself and coached players who’ve made it to the league,” she said. “That kind of mentorship is rare. She doesn’t just prepare you for the next four years, but for the next forty.”

The Gamecocks also offer national visibility — every game is either televised or streamed to millions, and the team plays in front of one of the largest, most passionate fanbases in the NCAA.

Culture and Environment

Culture also played a major role. Washington visited all three schools — South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia — before making her choice. While she praised the hospitality at each program, she said that Columbia felt “like home.”

> “There’s an energy at South Carolina that’s just different,” Washington said. “From the moment I stepped onto campus, it felt right — from the players, to the coaching staff, to the fans. It’s family.”

She added that the team’s sisterhood and mutual respect stood out during her visits. Players hold each other accountable, support one another, and strive for excellence as a unit — something she valued deeply in her decision-making process.

Tennessee and Georgia: Close, But Not Quite

Tennessee and Georgia, while disappointed, were never far from her top list. Washington described Tennessee as “a program with history and pride,” and lauded Coach Kellie Harper’s dedication to restoring the Lady Vols to national prominence. Georgia also impressed her with their academic-athletic balance and strong team dynamic.

But in the end, the lure of playing under Dawn Staley, learning from the best, and competing for national titles every year proved too compelling.

A Bright Future in Garnet and Black

Washington’s commitment cements South Carolina’s position as a recruiting juggernaut. She will be joining a squad that is already loaded with young talent and is expected to contend for championships for years to come.

> “I want to bring more banners to Columbia,” she said. “But more than that, I want to grow as a player, a leader, and a woman — and there’s no better place than South Carolina.”

For the Gamecock faithful, Amiyah Washington’s decision is more than just a win on the recruiting trail — it’s a statement. And for the rest of women’s college basketball, it’s a reminder: the road to the top runs through Columbia, South Carolina.