April 14, 2010

COLUMBIA, S.C. – University of South Carolina head women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley announced today that Kayla Brewer (Jacksonville, Fla./Robert E. Lee) has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University of South Carolina and play basketball for the Gamecocks. Ranked as the eighth-best player and the second-best forward in the 2011 class by ESPNU, Brewer will have four years of eligibility beginning with the 2009-10 academic year.

“Kayla Brewer is a real surprise for our 2010 recruiting class,” Staley said. “She brings a work ethic on and off the court that will undoubtedly bring a winning way. We look for Kayla to add depth to our frontcourt with her ability to defend, rebound and run the floor.”

Scheduled to graduate from high school this spring, a year early, the 6-foot-2 Brewer will join the Gamecocks after wrapping up her junior season at Robert E. Lee High with a team-best 15 points and 13 rebounds per game. Her 175 blocked shots led the state, while her rebounding average was fourth-best in Florida. That effort came on the heels of a sophomore campaign at Ribault High that saw her lead the team with 18.4 points per game, 13 rebounds per outing and a school-record 149 blocked shots. She was named The Florida Times-Union All-First Coast Player of the Year in 2009 after helping the Lady Trojans to a 23-6 record and the Florida High School Athletic Association Final Four. Brewer participated in the USA Women’s U16 National Team Trials in the summer of 2009.

South Carolina finished the 2009-10 season with a 14-15 overall record, including a 7-9 mark in SEC action that had the Gamecocks tied for seventh place in the league.