South Carolina has emerged as a finalist for four-star 2027 point guard Kaylor Buse, who is set to visit the Gamecocks on October 3. The 5-foot-9 guard from West Linn, Oregon, is ranked No. 52 overall by ESPN and ninth among point guards in her class.
Buse’s recruitment has gained importance for Dawn Staley after Maddy McDaniel’s departure left South Carolina without a traditional point guard on its 2026-27 roster. The Gamecocks offered Buse on July 30, shortly after McDaniel announced she was stepping away from the program.
Buse will visit TCU, Utah, Oregon and South Carolina this fall after previously visiting Washington. She told On3 that she is looking for a school where she can spend her college career in a close-knit environment, with teammates who develop a genuine sisterhood.
Her comments about Staley were particularly positive. Buse described the South Carolina coach as authentic, approachable and a strong communicator, adding that Staley’s praise for her players and program feels genuine.
The distance between Oregon and South Carolina could be a factor, but Staley can point to her recent success recruiting players from the West Coast. Kaeli Wynn and Jerzy Robinson are from California, while Oliviyah Edwards is from Washington. Transfer Jordan Lee also comes from California.
On the court, Buse appears to possess several qualities that could translate well to Staley’s system. She is an aggressive guard who can finish through contact and has developed a reliable spot-up jumper. She reached 1,000 career points at West Linn High School in January.
Buse has acknowledged that strengthening her left hand is an area of development, but her ability to attack the basket and play through physical contact gives her a strong foundation.
South Carolina’s offense also places a premium on decision-making. Rather than relying heavily on isolation basketball, the Gamecocks expect their point guard to create advantages, draw defenders and find open teammates. Buse’s film, particularly from AAU basketball, suggests she understands when to attack and when to distribute.
Another 2027 point guard, GG Banks, is also visiting South Carolina this fall and is ranked No. 4 nationally. However, Banks is being pursued by several major programs, including Texas and LSU. If South Carolina’s chances with Banks diminish, Buse could become an even bigger priority for Staley.
With the Gamecocks searching for a true floor general, Buse’s combination of ball-handling, scoring ability, passing instincts and willingness to embrace a structured offense could make her an intriguing fit for Staley’s system.
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