Paris Secures Versatile Forward for Future as Yarmah Officially Joins Gamecocks’ Promising and Ambitious 2025 Signing Class

The South Carolina women’s basketball program, under the unrelenting leadership of head coach Dawn Staley, continues to set a blistering pace on the recruiting trail. On Monday, the Gamecocks took another substantial step toward fortifying their future by announcing the official addition of forward Akayla Yarmah to the 2025 signing class. A physically gifted and mentally sharp player with untapped potential, Yarmah’s commitment signals yet another promising investment in the championship-caliber machine Staley has built in Columbia.

Yarmah, a 6-foot-2 wing from the DMV area — a hotbed for basketball talent — represents the kind of hybrid forward that Staley’s system has embraced with increasing frequency. She possesses the defensive versatility to guard multiple positions and the offensive intuition to operate inside the paint or step out for mid-range jumpers. Her development arc suggests that South Carolina is not just acquiring an athlete, but a piece of the long-term puzzle that could pay dividends for years to come.

“Akayla is a quiet competitor who leads with her work ethic,” Staley said in a statement released by the university. “She brings length, athleticism, and an unselfish mentality that we value in our program. Her ceiling is extremely high, and we’re thrilled to welcome her into the Gamecock family.”

This addition follows South Carolina’s historic 2024 season, which saw the program capture its third national championship under Staley and continue to assert its dominance across the SEC and beyond. With veterans moving on to professional careers and younger players being groomed for starring roles, the signing of someone like Yarmah helps bridge the generational gap and ensures sustained competitiveness.

Yarmah’s journey to Columbia is the result of a disciplined ascent through the high school ranks. At Bishop McNamara (MD), she faced top-tier competition and was lauded for her toughness and team-first approach. Coaches and scouts praised her ability to play within a system while still exhibiting flashes of star potential. Her numbers were not always eye-popping, but her impact on the court was unmistakable — the type of intangible asset that thrives under the guidance of a coach like Staley.

What makes this commitment particularly intriguing is how seamlessly Yarmah’s strengths align with the ethos of South Carolina basketball. Defense, rebounding, hustle, and smart shot selection are not always headline-grabbing traits, but they’re foundational for a program that has built its identity on discipline and detail. Yarmah excels in those categories, especially on the defensive end where her lateral quickness and wingspan give her the edge against both guards and forwards.

“I just want to get better every day, and I know Coach Staley and the staff at South Carolina will push me,” Yarmah said in a social media post after her signing was announced. “This is a program that wins, and I want to be a part of something bigger than myself. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

That humility is a major reason why South Carolina prioritized her recruitment. In an era where social media followings and highlight reels often dominate the conversation, Yarmah has stayed focused on refining her fundamentals and being the best teammate possible. Her coaches have often cited her leadership in practice and her willingness to guard the other team’s best scorer without hesitation.

The 2025 signing class for South Carolina is shaping up to be another strong one. While Yarmah may not have entered the recruiting cycle as a five-star headline-grabber, her late development and strong performances at national-level camps and tournaments pushed her into the spotlight. Analysts took note, with ESPN ranking her among the top wings in her class by the time of her senior season. Still, her recruitment remained relatively under the radar compared to some of her peers — something that only made her even more appealing to a program known for developing underrated talent into All-Americans.

Yarmah joins a group that already includes several other dynamic prospects, forming what could be a class defined by balance, toughness, and chemistry. There may not be a singular superstar in the group — yet — but the collective makeup suggests Staley and her staff are assembling a unit that can contribute early and grow together over time. That cohesion has often been a hallmark of successful South Carolina teams, from the 2017 national champions to the recent undefeated squad that cut down the nets in Cleveland.

What makes this even more exciting is how Staley has historically handled players like Yarmah. For all the five-star recruits she has coached, Staley has just as frequently celebrated the growth of players who began as quiet contributors and evolved into cornerstones. Yarmah’s makeup hints that she could follow a similar trajectory. Her length and athleticism will likely earn her immediate minutes on defense, and as her offensive game continues to develop, she could blossom into a two-way threat by her sophomore year.

There is also the question of fit within the roster. With players like MiLaysia Fulwiley and Tessa Johnson set to be key contributors in the coming years, Yarmah enters a competitive yet encouraging environment. There’s no guarantee of minutes at South Carolina — one of the most loaded programs in the country — but for players willing to learn, compete, and grow, the rewards can be immense. Staley’s player development record is arguably unmatched, and Yarmah will benefit from daily battles in practice against elite talent.

Beyond the court, Yarmah brings maturity and perspective that set her apart. Multiple coaches and mentors have spoken about her coachability, attention to detail, and desire to master the mental side of the game. She is a student of basketball, often studying film and asking questions that go beyond her years. That mentality will serve her well at South Carolina, where preparation and accountability are foundational to everything the program does.

For Gamecock fans, Yarmah’s signing may not generate the immediate buzz of a top-three national recruit, but it’s the kind of under-the-radar move that could pay significant dividends by 2026 or 2027. South Carolina has long thrived by trusting its evaluations and investing in high-character players. That trust has led to WNBA lottery picks, All-Americans, and championship banners.

This latest move reinforces that philosophy. Yarmah’s best basketball is still ahead of her, and under the guidance of one of the sport’s finest coaching staffs, she will be given every opportunity to flourish. In many ways, her addition feels like a natural continuation of the success South Carolina has built — not a flashy headline, but a smart, calculated, and potentially high-upside decision that speaks volumes about where the program is and where it’s going.

In an offseason that’s already been filled with major headlines, from championship celebrations to players declaring for the WNBA Draft, Yarmah’s quiet entrance into Columbia feels refreshingly grounded. She’s not arriving to be the face of the franchise — at least not yet — but she’s walking into an environment where effort, accountability, and team-first values are celebrated every bit as much as scoring titles.

For now, she’ll be watching and learning. Soon enough, she’ll be contributing. And in a few years, don’t be surprised if Akayla Yarmah is making her own headlines — not just as a promising recruit, but as a key piece of South Carolina’s next great team. Staley and her staff have trusted their process for more than a decade, and that process just brought another winner to Columbia.