5-star prospect names South Carolina basketball program among favorites

The defending National Champions do not yet have their first commitment in the class of 2026, but late on Friday night, one of the very best players in the class of 2026 announced that Dawn Staley and South Carolina basketball were among her favorites. Versatile player Jayla Jordyn Jackson posted her list of 16 top schools, including the Gamecocks, on her various social media accounts.

Joining the South Carolina Gamecocks in Jackson's top-16 are the Cal Golden Bears, Maryland Terrapins, Florida Gators, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Arizona Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, Ole Miss Rebels, Florida State Seminoles, Washington Huskies, TCU Horned Frogs, Alabama Crimson Tide, Oregon Ducks, Clemson Tigers, Miami Hurricanes, and North Carolina Tar Heels.

As a player, Jackson is ranked as the #10 player in the country by ESPN HoopGurlz, and the 5-star Washington DC native is the 5th-ranked guard in the '26 cycle.

Jackson can play four positions on the floor as she has experience playing everywhere from point guard to power forward. At the college level, she is most likely a wing, but she has some comfortability as a ball handler that could allow her to play a guard spot, and she is tough-nosed and long enough to handle herself inside in certain matchups.

A comfortable shooter from outside, Jackson has the ability to score in multiple ways. However, she is at her most dangerous as a driver. As a plus-athlete, she can blow by defenders on the perimeter but has enough length to get off decent looks at the basket. If she misses, she also is an aggressive rebounder who often finds herself cleaning the offensive glass for an easy putback.

On defense, she is strong and versatile, allowing her to hamper opponents at any position. Coach Staley likes having players who can defend multiple spots on the floor, both for switchability and to allow her to play the matchups. Jackson would be an ideal fit for the Gamecocks if she, indeed, does wind up as a member of the South Carolina basketball program.

You can watch some of her film here.