Kaeli Wynn Signs with Gamecocks

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina head women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley announced that Kaeli Wynn (pronounced KAY-lee) (Santa Ana, CA/Mater Dei) will join the Gamecocks with four years of eligibility beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. She was named to the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Girls High School Player of the Year Watchlist earlier today.

“Coming from a basketball family, Kaeli’s IQ and appreciation for the game’s intricacies add another level to her physical skill set,” Staley said. “She has an unbelievable will to win, but her ability to involve everyone on the team and ensure buy-in to the team goals are\ what separates her from her peers. She is a perfect fit for our program.”

The No. 17 player in the 2026 Class, Wynn is a 6-foot-2 forward at Mater Dei High School in California. She averaged 17 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists in her junior season as Mater Dei was ranked No. 1 in the nation throughout the season. Her efforts yielded first-team all-state honors following a sophomore season that saw her average 14 points and 6.1 rebounds to grab a spot on the all-county first team.

Wynn joins Kelsi Andrews (Hazel Green, AL/IMG Academy) as the first signees for Staley in the 2026 Class.