Justine Loubens Joins South Carolina Women’s Basketball

All 15 members of Dawn Staley’s roster are now present on the University of South Carolina campus for the summer. The final arrival was Justine Loubens, a 6‑foot‑1 guard from France who only secured her visa shortly before stepping onto Columbia soil. A July 9 video confirms she is already in Columbia, ending a lengthy waiting period that had kept her abroad. Staley’s program now has its full complement of players ahead of the eight‑week window permitted under NCAA summer‑school guidelines.

Loubens, a freshman, was highlighted on social media by performance coach Molly Binetti, who posted a short clip on Instagram with the caption “Bonjour.” The post served as a public welcome and signaled that the newcomer was officially part of the Gamecocks’ summer schedule. She previously competed for La Roche Vendée Basket Club, averaging 6.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per game while shooting 63.9 % from the field over 24 contests. Her commitment on April 29 secured her spot as the 15th player signed for the upcoming season.

The team’s return to Columbia began on June 22, though a few athletes arrived later due to national‑team obligations. Starting forward Joyce Edwards missed the initial days because she was still representing USA Basketball. Sophomore guard Agot Makeer did not join until June 30 after being invited to Canada’s Senior Women’s National Team camp. These staggered arrivals illustrate how international commitments can affect early‑season availability for the Gamecocks.

NCAA regulations allow teams to hold eight weeks of organized activities once summer school commences, giving Staley’s staff a full window to integrate new talent and assess conditioning. The delayed arrivals mean the coaching staff must balance individual fitness plans with cohesive team drills. With the roster now complete, the focus shifts to ensuring all players acclimate quickly and develop chemistry ahead of the 2026‑27 campaign. Staley will likely use the full eight‑week period to evaluate depth and refine strategies.