When will Alicia Tournebize join South Carolina WBB? What Dawn Staley said

Gift Article French women’s basketball recruit Alicia Tournebize at a South Carolina WBB game versus Queens at Colonial Life Arena on Nov. 23, 2025.

Tracy Glantz Tracy Glantz It looks like South Carolina women’s basketball fans will have to wait a little longer to see their newest Gamecock’s debut. On Dec. 22, South Carolina announced the signing of French forward Alicia Tournebize.

A release from the program said Tournebize would join the Gamecocks after the team’s “holiday break” and be enrolled in classes at USC for the Spring 2026 semester.

'Watch what you say:' Dawn Staley says journalist overheard disparaging Gamecocks

Tournebize was not at Colonial Life Arena on Sunday for South Carolina’s 96-55 win over Providence. South Carolina WBB’s X/Twitter account posted prior to the game that Tournebize was “working through the documentation she needs to get here.”

As of Sunday afternoon, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley was unaware when Tournebize would join the team. She hopes Tournebize will be here by the time class begins for USC’s spring semester on Jan. 12.

“We don’t know when she’s gonna get here,” Staley said. “I think she has appointments, documentation that she needs in order for her to get here. But hopefully before school starts.”

Tournebize — who is 18-years old and listed at 6-foot-7 (after previously being listed at 6-foot-4) — comes to South Carolina after a brief pro stint with Tango Bourges Basket of the EuroLeague Women in France. She averaged 2.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and just under one assist in 7.6 minutes across eight games this season.

The addition of Tournebize adds depth to South Carolina’s roster. She’ll be the 11th active player on the team and will likely play right away, giving relief to the Gamecocks starting forwards, Madina Okot and Joyce Edwards, off the bench.

“I’m just super excited,” Staley said Sunday. “We think we got a gem of a player. She is 6-foot-7, athletic and she’s 18 years old. She’s definitely gonna have to get in the weight room and see (strength and conditioning coach Molly Binetti). But (I’m) excited.” Tournebize will be joining the Gamecocks just in time for SEC play. South Carolina opens its conference slate at home on Thursday, Jan. 1 against Alabama.