Gamecock Signee McDowell Named McDonald’s All-American
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina women’s basketball signee Ayla McDowell earned McDonald’s All-American status, the organization announced on Monday. She becomes the 21st McDonald’s All-American to sign with Gamecock head coach Dawn Staley out of high school and will be the 27th to play for Staley at South Carolina.
In her senior season at Cypress Springs High, McDowell is averaging 24.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 3.1 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. She is shooting 51 percent from the floor, including 42 percent from 3-point range. Her team is 24-3 overall and 11-0 in District 16-6A action, and her Panthers are ranked No. 3 in the state in Class 6A by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.
The No. 22 overall recruit in the Class of 2025’s espnW 100, McDowell led Cypress Springs to a 30-3 record last season as the Panthers advanced to the 6A regional semifinals. She also competed for Brazil in the 2024 FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup, leading her team with 14.8 points per game, which was the second-highest average in the tournament, and was second in rebounding with a 7.7 average. In Brazil’s loss to the U.S., she posted 10 points and seven rebounds.
South Carolina will retire Wilson’s jersey in a pregame ceremony this Sunday (Feb. 2) prior to its noon tipoff against Auburn.
Continue to check GamecocksOnline.com and the team’s social media accounts (@GamecockWBB) for the most up-to-date information on the women’s basketball season.