Pair of Gamecock Signees Named McDonald’s All-Americans
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Two of South Carolina’s Class of 2023 signees earned spots in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Game, the organization announced today. Gamecock head coach Dawn Staley is one of five coaches to land a pair of entries with Milaysia Fulwiley and Tessa Johnson named to the East and West rosters, respectively.
Columbia’s own Fulwiley is ranked No. 13 overall in the Class of 2023 and is among the most dynamic players in the country with her ability to finish at the rim, including dunking, and shoot from the outside. Averaging 26.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 5.8 steals so far this season, the 5-foot-6 point guard has W.J. Kennan High ranked No. 1 in Class 2A in the latest South Carolina Basketball Coaches rankings. She becomes the sixth player from South Carolina to earn a spot in the McDonald’s All-American Game, joining previous Gamecock signees Ashlyn Watkins (2022), Talaysia Cooper (2022), A’ja Wilson (2014) and Alaina Coates (2013).
Johnson is a product of Saint Michael Albertville in Minnesota who is ranked No. 25 overall in the Class of 2023. Able to shoot the ball from anywhere, Johnson put up 51 points in a game in December 2022 in a bounce-back senior season following an injury that slowed her junior year effort. The 5-foot-10 guard earned First-Team All-State honors last season after helping her team to a runner-up finish in the Class 4A state tournament behind 23.4 points and 3.9 assists per game.
The pair become the 21st and 22nd Gamecock signees to be named McDonald’s All-Americans, including nine on this season’s roster – six of which are slated to return in 2023-24 to play alongside Fulwiley and Johnson.
The McDonald’s All American Game is slated for Tue., March 28, at Toyota Center in Houston.
No. 1/1 South Carolina (20-0, 8-0 SEC) is back in action on Sun., Jan. 29, at Alabama in a 1 p.m. ET tipoff on ESPN2.
Stay tuned to GamecocksOnline.com and the team’s social media accounts (@GamecockWBB) for more information on the 2022-23 season ahead.
2023 McDonald’s All-America Game Rosters
East Roster
Zoe Brooks, NC State
Essence Cody, Alabama
Aalyah Del Rosario, LSU
Jadyn Donovan, Duke
Milaysia Fulwiley, South Carolina
Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame
Riley Nelson, Maryland
Courtney Ogden, Stanford
Laila Reynolds, Florida
Emma Risch, Notre Dame
Taliah Scott, Arkansas
Ashlynn Shade, UConn
West Roster
K.K. Arnold, UConn
Sofia Bell, Oregon
Madison Booker, Texas
Addy Brown, Iowa State
Breya Cunningham, Arizona
Kymora Johnson, Virginia
Tessa Johnson, South Carolina
Amanda Muse, UCLA
Juju Watkins, Southern Cal
Jada Williams, Arizona
Mikaylah Williams, LSU
Sahara Williams, Oklahoma
