Playing for Team USA, taking college visits make for busy few months for Joyce Edwards

Joyce Edwards had just put her shoes away when she was approached by a fan behind the Camden High School bench Friday.

The person wanted a glimpse and photo opportunity with the Camden standout following the team’s win over Riverside High at the S.C. Basketball Coaches Association live period event at the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center.

Photo opportunities are no longer a surprise for Edwards, who was the main attraction on the girls’ side in the event, which began Thursday and wrapped up Sunday.

The 6-foot-3 Edwards moved up to No. 1 nationally in ESPNW’s Top 100 girls basketball rankings for the Class of 2024.

“It wasn’t one of my goals, but I’m glad to be back up there,” Edwards said of the ranking. “I feel like it is well-deserved. I put in a lot of time and work, and I am glad people see that as well.”

The senior is the first player from South Carolina to be No. 1 nationally since A’ja Wilson was coming out of Heathwood Hall for the Class of 2014. Wilson went on to star at the University of South Carolina and helped lead the Las Vegas Aces to the WNBA championship last season.

Edwards was also named Max Preps Female Athlete of the Year for the 2022-23 school year. She was all-state in three different sports last year — basketball, volleyball and soccer.

Edwards helped the Camden girls basketball team to its first state championship in more than 40 years when the Bulldogs defeated Wren, 61-45, on March 3.

Coaches from South Carolina, Clemson, Notre Dame, Stanford and Florida attended Edwards’ games over the weekend in Rock Hill.

Those schools along with LSU, Maryland and Texas A&M are among the many who reach out to her on a regular basis.

Edwards plans to trim her college list down to five at some point this year and then take more visits in the fall before making a decision sometime in December.

South Carolina and Clemson have been pushing for Edwards for a while. The Gamecocks haven’t lost out on too many recruiting battles for a top in-state player since coach Dawn Staley arrived and built the program into a powerhouse.

McDonald’s All-Americans MiLaysia Fulwiley, Talaysia Cooper and Ashlyn Watkins all have opted to stay home for their college careers.

“Coach Staley is an amazing coach and the whole environment is successful,” Edwards said. “People want to go to USC, right?”

Clemson has been selling Edwards on the idea of her coming in and being the face of the program. Tigers coach Amanda Butler attended both of Camden’s games on Friday, and Edwards recently visited the school.

“Coach Butler is like, ‘You have a chance to come here and do something that no one has ever done, turn this program around and write your own story,’ ” Edwards said.

Unlike a lot of athletes in her position, Edwards hasn’t posted a lot on social media about recruiting and has done a good job of not tipping her hand which school she might be leaning to play for next year.

“She has handled it remarkably well,” Camden coach Natalie Norris said of Edwards. “She is well-grounded and has a great support system with her family. She takes it all in stride.

“Obviously, everyone wants her to come play for them.”

She does have a checklist on what she is looking for in her next school.

“My non-negotiables are academics, style of play, relationships and facilities,” Edwards said. “Those are my top four things.”

Edwards will put any recruiting on hold next month as she gets ready to play for Team USA at the 2023 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup from July 15-23 in Spain. The team includes South Carolina’s Chloe Kitts and is coached by Texas A&M’s Joni Taylor.

She will leave for Colorado in early July for training camp before the team leaves for Madrid.

“I’m really grateful and really excited,” Edwards said of playing with Team USA. “I was cut the first two times I went there. But to make it this time just shows my level of determination and perseverance and not to let one cut define me.

“I want to win a gold medal and also looking forward to exploring Spain because it will be the first time for me going overseas.”