Back in June, Dawn Staley tweeted out one of her "a little birdie just flew into the nest!" tweets, which is her way of telling the fanbase that a prospect had committed to her program, without telling who it was (a NCAA violation), and without ruining the surprise for the prospect who may wish to make the announcement herself. But months passed with no follow-up announcement from any prospect, so it left the fanbase sort of scratching our heads wondering who it was intended for.
Then yesterday (Friday Oct. 22nd) Staley tweeted out another "birdie" tweet:
The Gamecocks were in the final lists - as far as we could tell - for three (3) top prospects for the 2022 cycle - ESPN Hoopsgurlz overall #3 6-2 F Janiah Barker, overall #12 6-3 P Ashlyn Watkins, and overall #18 6-0 PG Talaysia Cooper. The entire 2022 class had mostly all committed to somewhere or another, minus these three girls. But word was out that Barker was heading to Georgia, and both the UGA head coach and Staley tweeted similar tweets about getting a commitment within hours of each other. What is going on
Well, Barker does go to UGA. But the Gamecocks get our birdie too, as Cooper sets her announcement for today (Saturday Oct. 23rd)!!:
Cooper, out of East Clarendon High School, is thus far our only commit for the 2022 cycle. Cooper is the reigning South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year and has been recruited by the Gamecocks since she led East Clarendon to a state championship as an eighth-grader. She is a versatile player who averaged 23.7 points, 12.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 4.6 blocks, and 2.2 steals last season. She recorded a quadruple-double (21 points, 22 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 blocks) in a 2020 playoff game. She is described as “ultra-athletic” and “explosively athletic” in her ESPN scouting report, as well as a “pesky defender” and “electric 3-level offensive threat that oozes potential.” Cooper is the #2 ranked girl's prep basketball player in South Carolina behind #1 Ashlyn Watkins, per Prep Girls Hoops.com.
Another elite addition to the already elite roster of the WBB program. Welcome to South Carolina, Talaysia!!
Then yesterday (Friday Oct. 22nd) Staley tweeted out another "birdie" tweet:
The Gamecocks were in the final lists - as far as we could tell - for three (3) top prospects for the 2022 cycle - ESPN Hoopsgurlz overall #3 6-2 F Janiah Barker, overall #12 6-3 P Ashlyn Watkins, and overall #18 6-0 PG Talaysia Cooper. The entire 2022 class had mostly all committed to somewhere or another, minus these three girls. But word was out that Barker was heading to Georgia, and both the UGA head coach and Staley tweeted similar tweets about getting a commitment within hours of each other. What is going on
Well, Barker does go to UGA. But the Gamecocks get our birdie too, as Cooper sets her announcement for today (Saturday Oct. 23rd)!!:
Cooper, out of East Clarendon High School, is thus far our only commit for the 2022 cycle. Cooper is the reigning South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year and has been recruited by the Gamecocks since she led East Clarendon to a state championship as an eighth-grader. She is a versatile player who averaged 23.7 points, 12.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 4.6 blocks, and 2.2 steals last season. She recorded a quadruple-double (21 points, 22 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 blocks) in a 2020 playoff game. She is described as “ultra-athletic” and “explosively athletic” in her ESPN scouting report, as well as a “pesky defender” and “electric 3-level offensive threat that oozes potential.” Cooper is the #2 ranked girl's prep basketball player in South Carolina behind #1 Ashlyn Watkins, per Prep Girls Hoops.com.
Another elite addition to the already elite roster of the WBB program. Welcome to South Carolina, Talaysia!!
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