“South Carolina WBB’s Future Star Ayla McDowell Snags Coveted McDonald’s All-American Honor!”

Ayla McDowell, a future South Carolina women’s basketball player, has earned a spot on the 2025 McDonald’s All-American game roster. The rosters, revealed on Monday, feature 24 players, with McDowell being one of them. The game is scheduled for April 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the Barclays Center in New York. Ranked as the No. 22 recruit in the Class of 2025 by espnW’s HoopGurlz Recruiting Ratings, McDowell, a Texas native, is the first signee in Dawn Staley’s 2025 recruiting class and the 21st incoming USC freshman to receive this honor.

Staley praised McDowell in a statement following her signing, describing her as an elite wing player capable of scoring at all three levels and excelling defensively. “Ayla is a versatile defender who can guard any position, and her size and athleticism make her impactful on both ends of the court. She’s a proven winner who elevates her teams, and her selflessness on and off the court makes her an exceptional addition to our program. We’re thrilled to welcome Ayla and her family to Columbia,” Staley said.

This season, McDowell is averaging 24.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 3.1 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game, with a career total of 2,521 points.

The 2025 McDonald’s All-American game rosters include standout players from across the country, with McDowell representing the West Team. Other notable players on the East Team include Nyla Brooks (North Carolina), Kaelyn Carroll (Kentucky), and Jaida Civil (Tennessee), while the West Team features Sienna Betts (UCLA), Aaliyah Chavez (undecided), and Jordan Speiser (Kansas State), among others. McDowell, from Cypress Springs High School, is set to join South Carolina, continuing the program’s tradition of attracting top talent.