️ BREAKING: Joyce Edwards Stuns the Basketball World — 5-Star South Carolina Sensation Commits to UNC Women’s Basketball | 3 SHOCKING Reasons Behind Her Decision!
This is HUGE news for the Tar Heels and head coach Courtney Banghart, who has quietly built a powerhouse in Chapel Hill that’s now making serious national noise.
Let’s break down what led to this unexpected decision, why UNC was the final choice, and the three stunning reasons behind her shocking exit from the South Carolina pipeline.
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Who is Joyce Edwards?
Joyce Edwards is not just a player — she’s a generational talent. Ranked No. 2 overall in the 2025 recruiting class, she’s a USA Basketball gold medalist, McDonald’s All-American, and Gatorade Player of the Year finalist.
Her game is smooth, athletic, and explosive. Edwards can play the wing, dominate in the post, defend all five positions, and shoot from the perimeter. She averaged 26.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, 3.2 blocks, and 2.5 assists per game last season and had college coaches from every powerhouse fighting for her signature.
South Carolina fans had assumed she was staying home to join Coach Dawn Staley — but UNC made a massive move, and it paid off.
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THE SHOCKING DECISION: Why UNC?
Joyce Edwards dropped her commitment news with a Carolina Blue photoshoot that broke the internet. The caption was simple but powerful:
“Chapel Hill, let’s do something special. #GoHeels”
It came as a thunderbolt across the women’s college basketball world.
Insiders say North Carolina had been pursuing Edwards for over two years — offering not just playing time and development, but a chance to be the face of a rising dynasty.
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3 UNKNOWN REASONS Behind Her Stunning Exit from South Carolina Expectations:
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1️⃣ UNC’s NIL Package Was a Game-Changer
Sources close to the situation have revealed that UNC put together one of the strongest NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals in women’s basketball recruiting history. With new partnerships tied to the Jordan Brand, major endorsements in the works, and Chapel Hill’s growing media reach, the financial and branding opportunities swayed Edwards significantly.
While South Carolina offered tradition and success, UNC offered a future business empire — and for a young star with national appeal, that mattered.
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2️⃣ Courtney Banghart’s Vision & Trust
Coach Banghart’s pitch wasn’t just about wins — it was about legacy and leadership. Joyce was promised a leading role in reshaping Carolina women’s basketball, and she loved the idea of being the program’s anchor.
Unlike other programs where she might share the spotlight, UNC sold her on becoming the superstar — leading a Final Four run and being a trailblazer for the next wave of elite talent.
Also, the Tar Heels have added multiple five-stars in recent years, including Jada Richard and Tessa Johnson, making this one of the fastest-rising squads in the nation.
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3️⃣ A Desire for a Fresh Challenge
Joyce is no stranger to pressure — but sources say she wanted a new story.
South Carolina was home. It was the comfortable choice. But Joyce didn’t want easy. She wanted something different, bold, and legacy-defining.
By picking UNC over USC, LSU, UConn, and Stanford, she made a statement: “I don’t just want to follow greatness — I want to build it from the ground up.”
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What This Means for UNC Women’s Basketball
With Edwards in the fold, UNC becomes an instant Final Four contender. The blend of young talent, athleticism, and star power is now off the charts. Pair Joyce with a strong backcourt and a top-tier coaching staff, and you have a team that can challenge the likes of Iowa, LSU, and yes — even South Carolina.
Expect UNC to be a top-5 preseason team next year. This signing will have ripple effects across the recruiting world, and more dominoes could fall in UNC’s favor.
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Social Media Reaction:
@wbb_queen23: “Joyce Edwards to UNC is the biggest plot twist of the year! This changes EVERYTHING!”
@HoopsRecruitInsider: “Joyce saw the vision. UNC is building something special. This is just the beginning.”
@GamecockFan24: “Heartbroken. She was supposed to wear garnet. But gotta respect her decision. Go be great, Joyce.”
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Final Thoughts
Joyce Edwards’ commitment to North Carolina is a turning point in women’s college basketball. Not just because of the surprise, but because of what it represents: the growing power of NIL, the value of brand-building, and the rise of new contenders on the national stage.
South Carolina will be just fine — they always reload. But UNC just made their loudest statement in years. And with Joyce Edwards leading the charge, the sky’s the limit.
Tar Heel Nation, get ready. A new star is on her way to Chapel Hill.
Let the Joyce Edwards era begin.
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Caption for social media: “From Gamecock country to Tar Heel territory! Joyce Edwards STUNS the world with her UNC commitment. Here’s WHY she made the leap — and what it means for the future of women’s college basketball.”
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If you’d like an image to go along with this story (e.g., a custom UNC edit of Joyce Edwards), just let me know!
