Oliviyah Edwards, a 6-foot-3, five-star forward from Tacoma’s Lincoln High School, is heading to South Carolina, and she is not exactly sneaking in through a side door. The Tacoma standout, nicknamed "Big Oh," announced Thursday that she is committing to Dawn Staley’s powerhouse program after requesting a release from her November 2025 signing with Tennessee. The flip instantly qualifies as one of the spring’s biggest recruiting shockwaves and gives South Carolina’s frontcourt yet another major weapon.
Sometimes it takes twice to get it right ❤️🐔 #Committed
— Oliviyah “Big Oh” Edwards (@EdwardsOliviyah) April 23, 2026
From Lincoln to Columbia
Edwards reopened her recruitment this month after initially signing with the Lady Vols in November 2025, according to The Seattle Times. Her South Carolina decision went public with a social post and a short campus-visit clip, capped by her line, "Sometimes it takes twice to get it right," a moment that national outlets quickly reposted, per WIS News.
How She Dominated This Season
By the time she wrapped her run at Lincoln, Edwards was putting up the kind of numbers that make scorekeepers double-check the book. She averaged roughly 30 points, 22 rebounds, five blocks and four assists per game, and she dropped 38 points in her final outing before Lincoln’s season ended in the regional round, according to The News Tribune. Her production and profile also landed her on the McDonald’s All American roster, as listed on the game’s official roster.
What South Carolina Gets
South Carolina is picking up an athletic frontcourt piece who can finish above the rim, face up for midrange jumpers and live on the offensive glass, traits that 247Sports scouts highlighted in their evaluations. Sports Illustrated quoted 247Sports analyst Brandon Clay calling Edwards “a fantastic frontcourt option,” while CBS Sports pointed to her national ranking and the immediate boost she gives the Gamecocks’ incoming class.
Local Reaction and Next Steps
Lincoln coach Melanie Jones, who coached Edwards during her freshman and senior seasons, praised her leadership and noted that Edwards managed to balance her on-court workload with creative interests away from basketball, according to The Seattle Times. Edwards is expected to report to Columbia this summer and join Dawn Staley’s staff as they gear up for next season, a move highlighted as a major recruiting win by The State.
For Tacoma and the rest of Washington, Edwards’ choice lands as a milestone moment. Recruiting outlets have labeled her one of the highest ranked prospects the state has produced in recent years, and she will draw plenty of attention as she makes the jump into SEC competition next season, according to The News Tribune.
