South Carolina basketball fans are still waiting on head coach Dawn Staley's first "birdie" post on social media in the class of 2025. However, though the Gamecocks do not have a commitment in the cycle, they are in the conversation with some of the very best players in the country.
On Sunday, 5-star wing Deniya Prawl added her name among the big-time prospects interested in the South Carolina basketball program as she put the Gamecocks on her top-8 list. The Gamecocks are joined by the UConn Huskies, Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, Tennessee Lady Volunteers, Baylor Bears, Florida Gators, and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Prawl is one of several 5-star wings Coach Staley is pursuing, showcasing her desire to add a versatile player to help out her team, especially at the small forward spot after Bree Hall's upcoming graduation. With significant depth remaining at guard and in the post, it only makes sense that the Gamecocks will be focused on adding a player who can play the 3 like Prawl.
Illustrating this point, it appears that, from the outside looking in, more than half of the program's recruiting targets are shooting guards, small forwards, or small-ball power forwards. Elite talents like Agot Makeer, Zakiyah Johnson, and Jaida Civil are among the players who fit this mold along with Prawl.
As a player, Prawl is a dynamic downhill player. Standing at 6'1" and possessing big-time athleticism, she can finish down low against players bigger than her, and when matched up with smaller players, she uses her impressive strength and balance to go up and through contact for a bucket (and often a foul, as well).
However, the Canada native is not just a dribble-drive threat. As a true "slash and cash" offensive player, Prawl has a comfortable and smooth outside jumper to compliment her ability to get to the bucket. There is still room for improvement in consistency, but she is far and away ahead of most high school prospects with her driving ability.
On the defensive end, Prawl is a stone wall who uses her length and strength to keep opposing perimeter players from getting by her. She also has enough size to make life difficult in post matchups. Her rebounding is stronger than most players who play on the wing, and she can play the 4-spot in certain matchups.
You can watch some of her film here.