Mary Janet, No. 1 Top Player in America, Reveals Why She Chose South Carolina Over Tennessee and Georgia
In a decision thatโs sent shockwaves across the womenโs basketball landscape, Mary Janetโthe No. 1 ranked player in the nationโhas officially committed to the University of South Carolina. The five-star phenom, who had narrowed her final choices down to South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia, made her announcement Wednesday afternoon during a nationally televised special, ending months of intense speculation.
Janet, a 6-foot-2 versatile guard out of Atlanta, Georgia, is widely regarded as a generational talent. With elite scoring ability, exceptional court vision, and a relentless defensive motor, sheโs been pursued by nearly every major program in the country. Her final decision, however, came down to more than just basketball accolades.
โI chose South Carolina because of the culture, the people, and the way Coach Staley makes it feel like family,โ Janet said. โItโs not just about basketball there. Itโs about growing as a leader, as a woman, and as a student-athlete. I felt like I could be my full self there.โ
Janet praised Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley as a major factor in her commitment. โSheโs a legendโnot just for what sheโs done on the court, but for how she lifts up her players off it,โ Janet said. โShe believes in empowerment, in development beyond the game. That really stuck with me.โ
Tennessee and Georgia were both strong contenders throughout her recruitment. Tennesseeโs storied legacy and Georgiaโs home-state appeal gave each a compelling case. โTennessee has amazing tradition and great fans, and Georgia is homeโso this wasnโt easy,โ Janet admitted. โIโve got love for both of those programs, and I respect what theyโre building.โ
Janetโs commitment is a major win for South Carolina, a program already known for attracting top-tier talent and producing WNBA-ready stars. The Gamecocks are fresh off another deep postseason run and look poised to remain a national powerhouse for years to come.
Basketball analysts are calling Janetโs decision a potential game-changer. โSheโs the kind of player that alters the trajectory of a programโeven one as strong as South Carolina,โ said ESPN recruiting analyst Rachel Nichols. โThis is huge.โ
With her college decision now made, Janet says sheโs ready to focus on her final high school season and keep improving her game.
โNow I can play free, knowing where Iโm headed,โ she said. โIโm just excited to be part of something special in Columbia.โ
South Carolina fans certainly are, too.
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