𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆𝙄𝙉𝙂: 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙖 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧 𝙅𝙤𝙮𝙘𝙚 𝙀𝙙𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙎𝙃𝙊𝘾𝙆𝙎 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙, 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙐𝙉𝘾 𝙒𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣’𝙨 𝘽𝙖𝙨𝙠𝙚𝙩𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙡—3 𝙐𝙉𝙆𝙉𝙊𝙒𝙉 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝘽𝙚𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙀𝙭𝙞𝙩!… 𝙎𝙚𝙚 𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙚..

𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆𝙄𝙉𝙂: 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙖 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧 𝙅𝙤𝙮𝙘𝙚 𝙀𝙙𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙎𝙃𝙊𝘾𝙆𝙎 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙, 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙐𝙉𝘾 𝙒𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣’𝙨 𝘽𝙖𝙨𝙠𝙚𝙩𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙡 — 3 𝙐𝙉𝙆𝙉𝙊𝙒𝙉 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝘽𝙚𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙀𝙭𝙞𝙩!

In a jaw-dropping move that has turned heads across the women’s college basketball world, Joyce Edwards, one of the brightest rising stars in the game and a highly regarded South Carolina native, has officially flipped her commitment from South Carolina to the University of North Carolina (UNC). The decision comes as a stunning development, particularly given Edwards’ deep ties to her home state and South Carolina’s powerhouse program under head coach Dawn Staley.

Edwards, a five-star recruit, was widely expected to wear garnet and black and be the next great Gamecock forward. But instead, she will now head to Chapel Hill, where she’ll suit up for a resurgent UNC program under head coach Courtney Banghart.

What Led to the Shocking Flip?

While Edwards hasn’t spoken in full detail about the sudden change, insiders close to the recruitment reveal three key — and previously unknown — factors that contributed to this blockbuster decision:

1. A Desire to Lead Her Own Legacy

Despite the strength and success of South Carolina’s program, sources say Edwards was drawn to the idea of carving out her own identity at UNC. With the Gamecocks already stacked with elite frontcourt talent, Edwards may have felt her star would shine brighter at a program where she could be the immediate focal point — both on and off the court.

“Joyce wanted to be somewhere she could not just win, but lead,” a close family friend shared. “UNC offered her that platform — to be the centerpiece, to build something special.”

2. Academic and Off-Court Development

Another major factor in her decision reportedly came down to academics and long-term personal development. Edwards has been vocal about her interest in education and leadership programs beyond basketball. Sources indicate that UNC’s top-ranked Public Policy and Sports Administration programs, combined with its leadership development initiatives, played a significant role in winning her over.

“She’s thinking about life after basketball, which is rare at her age,” one high school coach said. “UNC gave her a vision of who she could become — not just as an athlete, but as a woman.”

3. Quiet but Strong Connection with UNC’s Coaching Staff

Behind the scenes, Edwards had reportedly built a deep and personal relationship with UNC head coach Courtney Banghart, who made recruiting the elite forward a top priority from day one. While South Carolina had the home-court advantage, UNC’s persistent, personalized approach struck a lasting chord.

“It wasn’t about flash. It was about fit,” a recruiting insider noted. “Banghart treated Joyce like family, and that loyalty meant a lot.”

What’s Next?

With Joyce Edwards heading to North Carolina, the Tar Heels now land one of the most impactful recruits in the nation — a two-way powerhouse with size, skill, and unmatched drive. Meanwhile, South Carolina must regroup and adjust its recruiting plans, though with Dawn Staley at the helm, no one is doubting the Gamecocks’ ability to remain a national contender.

Still, this move will be talked about for months to come. Joyce Edwards’ commitment to UNC is more than a recruiting win — it’s a program-shifting moment that signals a bold new chapter in her career and for Tar Heel women’s basketball.

Buckle up — the ACC just got a lot more interesting.