Given a standing ovation at her entrance, already on SportsCenter, Alicia Tournebize played her first NCAA game
Jan 15, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks forward Alicia Tournebize (31) battles for position against the Texas Longhorns in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Having joined the South Carolina program during the break, after leaving Tango Bourges Basket, Alicia Tournebize (6’4″, 18 years old) officially made her NCAA game debut. Against Texas, in a very high-level matchup, the French forward experienced a symbolic first, under the spotlight and in front of an already captivated audience.
A highly anticipated first entrance
Entering at 5:55 remaining in the first quarter, Alicia Tournebize played five minutes in South Carolina’s victory over Texas (68-65). On the court, her stat line remained modest with two quick fouls called, but the essential was elsewhere. Upon her entrance, Colonial Life Arena rose to give her a standing ovation, proof of the anticipation surrounding the French player.
CLA ERUPTS as Alicia Tournebize enters the game for South Carolina in her NCAA debut pic.twitter.com/TXkTFuuiro
— No Cap Space WBB (@NoCapSpaceWBB) January 16, 2026
A sequence that went viral in the United States
This entrance did not go unnoticed far beyond the arena. The sequence was featured on SportsCenter, the reference sports show in the United States, a very rare occurrence for a French player making her NCAA debut. An exposure that illustrates the already strong media impact of her arrival at South Carolina.
ALICIA TOURNEBIZE MAKES HER COLLEGIATE DEBUT FOR SOUTH CAROLINA 🔥
The 6’7″ forward is the first French woman to have a dunk documented 😤 pic.twitter.com/dkEZCvbYOn
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 16, 2026
A reputation built before even her debut
If Alicia Tournebize’s signing generated so much buzz overseas, it’s also because of her unique profile. The forward is considered the first French woman to have dunked in an official game, during a Nationale 2 match in 2024. Most notably, a play made during the U18 EuroBasket last year went viral on social media, permanently establishing her name in the international women’s basketball landscape.
A first step in an elite program
Having arrived in early January in South Carolina, Alicia Tournebize is gradually discovering the demands of one of the most prestigious women’s college basketball programs. These first minutes, though discreet on the court, nevertheless mark the beginning of a new adventure, under the watchful eye of the American public and national media.
A sporting context and major stakes ahead
This victory against Texas is part of a strong momentum for the South Carolina Gamecocks, currently firmly established among the very best teams in the country. Leading the SEC and an acknowledged Final Four candidate, the Columbia-based team advances under the direction of its iconic coach Dawn Staley, a legendary figure in American women’s basketball. This success in a top-of-the-table clash, despite sometimes messy play, strengthens the Gamecocks’ position in the race for seeding (being well ranked in the national rankings) ahead of March Madness.
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