Top 25 recruit Ayla McDowell commits to South Carolina

Ayla McDowell, the No. 23-ranked recruit in the Class of 2025, has committed to the South Carolina Gamecocks.

McDowell, a 6-foot-2 wing from Cypress (Texas) Cy Springs High School, chose the Gamecocks over Georgia Tech, Florida, TCU, LSU and Mississippi State. On3 recently submitted a prediction for McDowell to choose the Gamecocks.

“It was just a great environment,” McDowell told On3 ahortly after her official visit to South Carolina. “I felt loved by the coaches, loved by the players. I got to see everything. I didn’t expect it to be as good as I thought it was going to be, but it’s pretty chill. South Carolina is a good place to be. Everything is very close by and engineering is amazing as well. So, I mean, I just felt loved. I’ve been talking to Dawn [Staley] for some time now, and it’s always a good conversation when we’re on the phone.”

The biggest factor in making her decision was the relationships she formed with the coaching staff.

“It’s just the relationships with everybody,” McDowell said. “I want to go somewhere where I don’t feel homesick because I’m not going to be at home. I just want to feel somewhere where I’m loved and honestly, just like the resources academically and basketball-wise. I just need all the resources I can get.”

Ayla McDowell plays for Cy Fair Elite, who won the national championship on the Nike circuit this summer. She averaged 13.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. 

McDowell is the South Carolina Gamecocks first commit for the 2025 class. Other targets for Staley and the Gamecocks include Jaida Civil, Agot Makeer and Deniya Prawl.