“Welcome to the family”.

With that tweet from Las Vegas Aces’ rookie forward and former national champion A’Ja Wilson, Lexington guard Olivia Thompson made a verbal commitment to the University of South Carolina Saturday.

“USC is getting a mentally tough athlete that competes every single play every single day,” Lady Wildcats’ head coach Molly Goodrich.

“Olivia Thompson is a true competitor and she has a shooter’s mentality, which is very hard to “teach” in the sport of basketball.” Augusta University, USC-Upstate, and Lenoir-Rhyne University also made offers to Thompson. In the end, the reputation and history of the Gamecocks’ and, in her words, “legendary” head coach Dawn Staley greatly compelled Thompson to remain near her hometown for college.

“I feel like I could be pushed to my full potential playing in the SEC Conference playing at one of the best programs in the country,” Thompson said. “My (teammates) and coaches supported me and also inspired me to believe that I could rise to this occasion.”

The all-time scoring leader at Lexington with 1,358 career points, she averaged 21.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the Lady Wildcats. Thompson was an S.C. Basketball Coaches Association, All-State, USA Today All-USA South Carolina second team and first-team All-Chronicle Country selection.

Her 105 3-pointers made this past season led the Palmetto State and were the third most in S.C. High School League history behind Latta’s Ivory Latta.

“Olivia has not only improved on her PPG and her 3-pointers made each year throughout her high school career, but more importantly she has improved her defense, rebounding, assists, and attacking the basket,” Goodrich said. “Olivia Thompson has played against girls all over the U.S. and she has proven herself on every team she has played on.

“I feel that Olivia has a bright future at USC and will bring a scoring threat and an outside shooting presence because she is one player you simply cannot leave open.”

Thompson is the second Chronicle Country female player to commit with one of the Palmetto State’s “Big Two” schools. Two-time S.C. Basketball Coaches Association Class 3A Player of the Year Danae McNeal of Swansea is signing with archrival Clemson.

“My first goal for my senior year would be winning and going undefeated in region,” Thompson said. “I believe this season will be our best and we have a lot of seniors who are focused on making it our best. After that, the goal would be to make it to the state playoffs. My personal goals would be reaching the 2,000 point club and being region or state player of the year. If those happen it would be great, but my priority is making sure it’s the team’s best season.