The biggest All-American recognition in all of high school basketball is the McDonald’s All-American team. On Wednesday, the McDonald’s All-American Games Selection Committee revealed its 2025 nominees. South Carolina women’s basketball commitment Ayla McDowell made the cut as a nominee for the West Team. She and the rest of the nominees will learn if they make the team (usually 24 players) ahead of the actual festivities that will culminate with the prestigious all-star game in the spring.

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McDowell is the No. 26 overall recruit in the class according to On3’s industry ranking. She also is the No. 2 prospect in the state of Texas and the No. 8 small forward. She pledged her services to the Gamecocks back in October, but as things stand, McDowell is the only commitment in the South Carolina women’s basketball recruiting class.

As a player, McDowell will bring some versatility to Columbia, something Dawn Staley loves. She is 6’2″ and athletic, and her multi-faceted skillset will allow her to play two or three positions for the Gamecocks.

McDowell’s jumper is quick and confident, and she can fire up shots from just about anywhere on the floor. She’s also accumulated more than 1000 rebounds during her career thanks to the way she crashes the boards aggressively. The future Gamecock can dribble and create as a secondary facilitator, as well.

She also has “it.” McDowell’s work ethic is well-known, and she shows that same type of effort in-game. Leadership comes naturally to the Cypress Springs High School product, too. Coach Staley even has predicted that McDowell will be a future USC captain.

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Uncommitted Gamecock target Agot Makeer also earned a nomination. The versatile 5-star plans to announce a commitment soon between South Carolina, UConn, Duke, North Carolina, Michigan State, and Kentucky.

This year’s McDonald’s All-American Game will be at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, New York. The East vs. West showdown will tip at 6:30 p.m. on April 1st. ESPN will broadcast the contest, while the ESPN app makes it available for streaming.