Jackson and Troup Join Gamecocks

Nov. 9, 2016

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina head women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley announced that Bianca Jackson (Montgomery, Ala./Brewbaker Tech Magner) and Haley Troup (Gadsden, Ala./Gadsden) have signed National Lettes of Intent to attend the University and play for the Gamecocks. Both will have four years of eligibility beginning with the 2017-18 academic year.

“As the daughter of two basketball coaches, her knowledge of the game is apparent every time Bianca steps out on the court,” Staley said. “She is a natural leader, and her skill set makes her a dangerous weapon on both ends of the floor. Bianca has a great feel for the game and is a true student of the game.”

Jackson, a 5-foot-11 guard out of Montgomery, Ala., is the 11th-ranked guard in the Class of 2017. A three-time Alabama Sports Writers Association First-Team All-State selection, she averaged 22 points, six rebounds and 4.2 assists last season. Her father, Lewis Jackson, and mother, Freda Freeman-Jackson, are the men’s and women’s basketball coaches, respectively, at Alabama State.

“Haley was our first commitment from Alabama who loves the game,” Staley said. “She is going to help us right away with her basketball IQ alone. She is an excellent shooter, but her best asset is her ability to see the floor and deliver the ball. Haley is a gutsy competitor who will rise to competition of the SEC.”

A 5-foot-9 guard, Troup was the Gadsden Messenger Co-Player of the Year and a finalist for Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) Class 7A Player of the Year in 2016. Already a 1,000-point scorer after her sophomore season, she reached the 1,000-rebound plateau last season as a junior. Averaging 17.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 2015-16, Troup played in the North/South All-Star game in July 2016.

Jackson and Troup join Elisia Grissett (Durham, N.C./Hillside) and LaDazhia Williams (Bradenton, Fla./Lakewood Ranch), who signed earlier today, in Staley’s 2017 class.