Dawn Staley adds another French player, Justine Loubens, to South Carolina roster (original) (raw)

Updated April 29, 2026, 2:07 p.m. ET

COLUMBIA — South Carolina women's basketball added Justine Loubens from France as the fifth player in coach Dawn Staley's 2026 class on April 29.

Loubens is a 6-foot-1 guard and most recently played professionally for La Roche Vendée Basket Club, where she averaged 6.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and shot 63.9% from the field in 24 games, according to South Carolina.

This marks the 15th player on the Gamecocks roster and the second from France. Alicia Tournebize, who is 6-foot-7, came over in January after starting her career professionally in France as well. Loubens and Tournebize played FIBA basketball together in 2024 and 2025.

“We’re excited to bring Justine into our Gamecock family,” Staley said in a news release. “She is one of the best shooters coming out of France, and her experience playing for her club and national teams have helped prepare her for the SEC battles to come.”

Dawn Staley adds another French player to South Carolina roster

This news comes after what many believed was Staley's final roster move in adding Oliviyah Edwards, the No. 3 recruit from the Class of 2026.

Edwards, a 6-3 five-star forward, decommitted from the Tennessee April 7, visited South Carolina April 14 and nine days later, committed to the Gamecocks. She signed on April 27.

Staley's first 2026 signee was four-star 6-3 forward Kelsi Andrews (No. 30 prospect), then 6-2 five-star Kaeli Wynn (No. 19 prospect), followed by No. 6 prospect Jerzy Robinson, a five-star 6-foot guard.

The average height of the 2026-27 team before Loubens committed was 6-2.

Loubens will add to the guard depth for the Gamecocks, playing behind Tessa Johnson, Agot Makeer, Maddy McDaniel, Ayla McDowell and Jordan Lee, who just signed after transferring from Texas. Lee is 6-foot and spent two seasons with the Longhorns.

Robinson was the only incoming guard until Loubens, giving Staley's future teams more guard depth with this addition.

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at LKesin@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky‪@bylulukesin.bsky.social‬