Zaniya Johnson Commits to South Carolina Women’s Basketball

Five-star forward Zaniya Johnson announced her commitment to South Carolina women’s basketball on Wednesday, choosing head coach Dawn Staley’s program over finalist LSU after narrowing her recruitment down to two schools. The decision follows an official visit Johnson took to Columbia during the weekend of October 3.

Zaniya Johnson Chooses South Carolina Over LSU

Johnson made her pledge public on Wednesday through social media, cementing a major addition to the program’s recruiting class. “I truly believe [South Carolina] has everything I need and more to grow both on and off the court,” Johnson told ESPN’s Shane Laflin. “South Carolina has a proven track record of developing post players, and having the opportunity to be part of a program like that was something I couldn’t pass up.”

Recruiting Timeline and Early Campus Visits

The recruitment process for the 6-foot-4 prospect included several key stops across the fall. Johnson traveled to Columbia for an official visit on the weekend of October 3. While she missed the big recruiting weekend that featured elite prospects GG Banks and Taylor Brown—both of whom have since committed to the Gamecocks—her visit proved successful. In addition to her finalists, Johnson took fall trips to Florida State and Texas A&M while Mississippi State also stayed heavily involved in her recruitment. Florida State, Texas A&M, and Mississippi State were major players before Johnson trimmed her final list to South Carolina and LSU.

Johnson Ranks as a Five-Star Frontcourt Prospect

Standing 6-foot-4, Johnson brings imposing physical attributes to the frontcourt. “Johnson has the type of legitimate size that colleges nationwide covet in the frontcourt,” 247Sports director of WBB scouting Brandon Clay wrote. “She is more than capable of serving as a force around the paint.” Last season at Biloxi High School, Johnson averaged 14.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game while helping lead the Indians to a 30-2 record, according to MaxPreps figures.

Major recruiting services evaluate Johnson among the top tier of the class of 2027. ESPN ranks her as a five-star recruit and the No. 18 overall player in the cycle. On3 and 247Sports place her as a top-22 overall prospect, with 247Sports rating her as the country’s No. 3 center and ESPN slotting her as the third-best post player nationally.

South Carolina Recruiting Class Context

Johnson joins a 2027 class for the Gamecocks. South Carolina secured a commitment from four-star guard Taylor Brown on Oct. 2, ranked No. 30 by ESPN, and five-star guard GG Banks on Oct. 10, ranked No. 4 by ESPN. Johnson's commitment follows on October 21, strengthening an incoming group under Staley.

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