COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina’s head women’s basketball coach, Dawn Staley, recently announced that Alicia Tournebize from Charmeil, France, has signed to play for the Gamecocks. The 6-foot-4 forward will join the team after the holiday break, starting classes in the Spring 2026 semester.
Staley praised Alicia’s skills: “She has an incredible basketball IQ, a soft touch around the rim, and can shoot three-pointers. We’re thrilled she and her family chose Columbia; fans will love what she brings both on and off the court.”
Alicia has risen through the ranks at Tango Bourges Basket, a powerhouse in France’s top women’s league. This season, she played 7.7 minutes per game, shooting an impressive 53.3% from the field. She opened her season with a standout 12 points in just 12 minutes against Toulouse Metropole. In EuroLeague matches, her shooting percentage jumped to 57.1%.
Internationally, Alicia shone in FIBA competitions. She helped France secure third place at the 2025 FIBA U18 EuroBasket, leading her team with averages of 12.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, ranking her among the tournament’s top performers. Her 19 points in the third-place match against Belgium highlighted her capability. In 2024, she was also part of the French squad that finished fourth at the FIBA U17 World Cup.
Alicia’s journey mirrors that of her mother, Isabelle Fijalkowski, who had a remarkable career in basketball, playing for Colorado and in the WNBA. Isabelle is in the French Basketball Academy Hall of Fame and has two EuroLeague titles to her name. She will be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2026.
As of now, South Carolina, ranked No. 3, will face Providence on December 28, with a noon tipoff. This match is their last before the critical conference games start on January 1.
Joining a team like South Carolina places Alicia in a growing trend of international players making a mark in U.S. college basketball. Recent data shows that the number of international players in NCAA women’s basketball rose by over 30% in the last five years. This influx not only enhances competition but also enriches the game’s diversity and global appeal. As women’s sports continue to gain momentum, expect to see more talents like Alicia breaking through and achieving their dreams.
For the latest updates on women’s basketball, visit the NCAA’s official site.
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