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South Carolina's Kelsi Andrews makes USA's roster for FIBA AmeriCup

South Carolina women's basketball incoming freshman Kelsi Andrews made United States' final roster and will compete at the 2026 FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup.

A total of 22 players from the class of 2026-28 participated in the USA Basketball Women’s U18 National Team trials in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Andrews and incoming freshman Oliviyah Edwards were two of seven from the 2026 class but Edwards didn't make the final roster.

The tournament is scheduled for June 9-15 in Irapuato, Mexico.

Andrews, a 6-foot-2 forward, was South Carolina's first 2026 signee, committing in November. Edwards, a 6-3 forward, was originally signed with Tennessee but decommitted, then signed with the Gamecocks in April.

Edwards is the No. 3 ranked player in ESPN's 2026 rankings, Andrews is the 30th.

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Dawn Staley's South Carolina women's basketball 2026-27 roster with portal additions

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts with Joyce Edwards #8 in the game against the TCU Horned Frogs during the fourth quarter in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 30, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

(Harry How, Getty Images)

USA is in Group B and will start with a game against Argentina on June 9. On June 10, it will be the United States vs Mexico then Group B plays end June 12 against Paraguay. From there it will shift to a knockout round on June 13, semifinal games on June 14 and medal contests June 15.

The United States are looking for its 12th straight gold medal and 13th overall.

This is not the first USA Basketball event for Andrews, as she won gold in the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup and the 2023 FIBA U16 Americas Championship.

Kelsi Andrews making USA Basketball roster good sign given injury history

After dealing with two ACL tears in her high school career, Andrews tore her meniscus which resulted in surgery in October right before she committed to South Carolina.

She missed the majority of her senior season at IMG Academy with the recent knee injury but was able to play in her final game.

A total of 22 athletes fought for 12 total roster spots, so it's not likely Andrews would be one of the 12 if she wasn't healthy and able to play so this is a positive sign for her timeline when it comes to her freshman season with the Gamecocks.

Why is Joyce Edwards playing again with MiLaysia Fulwiley?

Junior forward Joyce Edwards is playing for a different USA Basketball team, as she made the USA Women's 3X3 National Team for the 2026 FIBA 3×3 World Cup.

She is joining former teammate MiLaysia Fulwiley who left South Carolina in April 2025 and transferred to LSU. Fulwiley's LSU teammate Mikaylah Williams is also on the team, along with another SEC player in Sahara Williams from Oklahoma.

That event is in Warsaw, Poland and started June 1, with knockout play starting June 5, the quarterfinals June 6 then medal games June 7.

Dawn Staley's players are set to return for summer basketball sometime in mid to late June but it's not unusual for USA Basketball events to conflict.

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at LKesin@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky‪@bylulukesin.bsky.social‬

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina's Kelsi Andrews makes USA's roster for FIBA AmeriCup

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