COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina women’s basketball has signed Alicia Tournebize, a 6-foot-4 forward from Charmeil, France, to a financial aid agreement, head coach dawn Staley announced. Tournebize will join the Gamecocks following the holiday break and begin classes in the Spring 2026 semester.
A Rising Star Joins the Gamecocks
Table of Contents
The highly-touted French prospect brings a unique skillset to South Carolina’s already dominant program.
- Tournebize has already competed at a professional level in France’s Ligue Féminine de BasketBall.
- She led france in both scoring and rebounding at the 2025 FIBA U18 EuroBasket, earning All-Star 5 honors.
- her mother, Isabelle Fijalkowski, enjoyed a decorated career playing professionally in France and in the WNBA.
“Alicia has an incredible skill set and basketball IQ,” Staley said. “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.”
Professional Experience at a Young Age
Tournebize’s basketball journey began with Tango Bourges Basket, a historically prosperous team in france’s premier women’s league, the ligue Féminine de BasketBall. She progressed through their U15 program and earned a “training-intern contract” with the professional roster this season. In league play, she averaged 7.7 minutes and shot 53.3 percent from the field,including a 12-point performance in 12 minutes against Toulouse Metropole. Her shooting accuracy improved to 57.1 percent during EuroLeague competition.
International Success with France
Representing her country, Tournebize played a key role in France’s third-place finish at the 2025 FIBA U18 EuroBasket. She was a dominant force, leading the team in both scoring (12.1 points per game) and rebounding (8.9 rebounds per game). These impressive statistics placed her among the tournament’s top 10 in both categories and secured her a spot on the All-Star 5 team.she capped her strong showing with a team-high 19 points against Belgium in the third-place game. In 2024, she also contributed to the French team that finished fourth at the FIBA U17 World Cup.
Following in Her Mother’s Footsteps
Tournebize’s path to the United States mirrors that of her mother, Isabelle Fijalkowski, a former player at Colorado and in the WNBA. Fijalkowski also had a distinguished international career, winning two EuroLeague titles and five French League championships. She is honored in the French Basketball Academy hall of Fame (2011) and the FIBA Hall of Fame (2020),and is slated for induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame with the class of 2026.
No.3/3 South Carolina will return to action on Sun., Dec. 28, hosting Providence at Colonial Life arena.The noon tipoff on SEC Network will serve as the Gamecocks’ final game before beginning conference play on Thu., Jan. 1.
