A New Star is Set to Shine with the Gamecocks!
COLUMBIA, S.C. – In an exciting announcement for South Carolina women’s basketball fans, head coach Dawn Staley revealed that Alicia Tournebize, hailing from Charmeil, France, has secured a financial aid agreement to attend the University and play for the Gamecocks. The talented 6-foot-4 freshman forward will officially join the team after the holiday season and is set to start her classes in the Spring 2026 semester.
Staley expressed her enthusiasm about Tournebize's potential, stating, "Alicia possesses an impressive skill set alongside a sharp basketball IQ. She excels at scoring close to the hoop, can shoot effectively from beyond the arc, and is a formidable shot blocker. We’re thrilled that she and her family have chosen Columbia as the place for her to develop her game, and I believe our fans will greatly appreciate the contributions she will make both on and off the court."
Tournebize has a remarkable background with Tango Bourges Basket, one of the most successful teams in France’s top women’s professional league, the Ligue Féminine de BasketBall. She began her journey with their U15 program and has recently transitioned to the professional squad under a training-intern contract this season. In her league appearances, she played an average of 7.7 minutes per game while shooting an impressive 53.3 percent from the field. Notably, she kicked off her league season with an impressive performance, scoring 12 points in just 12 minutes against Toulouse Metropole. Furthermore, her shooting accuracy improved to 57.1 percent during EuroLeague matches with her club.
On the international stage, Tournebize represented France in FIBA competitions, where she played a crucial role in leading her team to a third-place finish at the 2025 FIBA U18 EuroBasket. Her performance was outstanding, as she topped her team in scoring (averaging 12.1 points per game) and rebounding (8.9 rebounds per game), ranking among the tournament's top ten in both categories, which earned her a spot on the All-Star 5 list. A highlight of her tournament was a stellar 19-point game against Belgium in the battle for third place. In 2024, she also contributed to the French team that finished fourth at the FIBA U17 World Cup.
Alicia’s journey to playing in the United States mirrors that of her mother, Isabelle Fijalkowski, who has an illustrious history in basketball, having played at Colorado and in the WNBA, complemented by a distinguished international career that includes two EuroLeague championships and five French League titles. Fijalkowski’s accolades have earned her a spot in the French Basketball Academy Hall of Fame (2011) and the FIBA Hall of Fame (2020), and she is set to be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026.
Looking ahead, the No. 3/3 South Carolina Gamecocks will be back in action on Sunday, December 28, hosting Providence at Colonial Life Arena. This matchup, scheduled for a noon tipoff on the SEC Network, will serve as their final preparation before they dive into conference play starting on January 1.
