- South Carolina women’s basketball has added French phenom Alicia Tournebize mid-season.
- The 6-foot-7 center brings immediate size and a unique skillset to the Gamecocks’ frontcourt.
- Tournebize’s move delays her WNBA draft eligibility by two years, but offers a clear path to development under coach Dawn Staley.
- Her mother, Isabelle Fijalkowski, played college basketball in the U.S. and professionally in the WNBA.
Columbia,S.C. – In a stunning move that’s already turning heads in college basketball, South Carolina’s women’s team has signed Alicia Tournebize, an 18-year-old center from france. The 6-foot-7 phenom, currently playing professionally for bourges Basket, will join the Gamecocks after the holiday break and is promptly eligible to play. This addition could be a game-changer for a team already ranked among the nation’s elite.
“Alicia has an incredible skill set and basketball IQ,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said in a statement. “She has great touch around the rim, can shoot it out to the 3-point line and is a shot blocker. We’re excited that she and her family chose to bring her game to columbia, and the FAMS are going to enjoy what she adds to our team on the court and off.”
A Rising Star Arrives
Tournebize has been on the radar of international scouts for some time, but truly broke out this summer at the FIBA U18 Women’s EuroBasket tournament. Averaging 12.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks while shooting 54.9% from the field,she helped lead France to a bronze medal and earned a spot on the All-Star five. A viral two-handed slam during the bronze medal game against Belgium further cemented her reputation as a dynamic player.
currently,Tournebize plays for Bourges Basket in La Boulangère Wonderligue,the top professional women’s basketball league in France,and also competes in the EuroLeague,a pan-European competition. This season, she’s seen limited playing time, averaging 7.6 minutes, 2.9 points, and 1.7 rebounds in the LBW, and 7.3 minutes, 2.4 points, and 1.9 rebounds in EuroLeague.
Why Now? A Focus on Development
The reasons behind Tournebize’s mid-season move are centered around maximizing her development. while Tournebize offered a brief statement, saying, “Bourges has helped me grow, both on and off the court. I am leaving today with everything I have learned here and with the desire to proudly represent the colors of my training club,” the decision appears to be mutually beneficial.
bourges Basket released a statement emphasizing the prioritization of Tournebize’s growth, stating, “This decision, which was carefully considered and reached through respectful dialogue, reflects the shared desire of both parties to prioritize the player’s development while preserving the club’s sporting integrity, in accordance with the mutual commitments set out in a settlement agreement.”
Limited minutes with Bourges likely played a role, as it can be challenging for teenagers to secure significant playing time overseas. South Carolina offers a clear pathway for Tournebize to become a key contributor, possibly even this season, and certainly in the years to come. staley has a proven track record of developing elite bigs like A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, and Kamilla Cardoso.
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