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South Carolina women's basketball: First look at next season

On3 imageby: Chris Wellbaum04/07/25ChrisWellbaum
South Carolina Gamecocks forward Joyce Edwards (8) control the ball against the Texas Longhorns during the third quarter in a semifinal of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
South Carolina Gamecocks forward Joyce Edwards (8) control the ball against the Texas Longhorns during the third quarter in a semifinal of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

South Carolina’s 2024-25 season has come to an end. Most of the starting lineup is out of eligibility, plus the Gamecocks expect to be major players in the transfer portal. What will next season’s team look like?

Scholarships
South Carolina has four players who could declare for the WNBA Draft or return: Sakima Walker, Maryam Dauda, Raven Johnson, and Ashlyn Watkins.

Dauda has said she will return. Watkins is unlikely to declare for the draft because of her knee injury. Walker has not announced her decision, and Johnson said she would announce after the season.

All have 48 hours from the end of the last game to declare for the draft.

That means South Carolina has between seven and 12 scholarships committed for next season. Most likely, it is 10 or 11, depending on Johnson.

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Projected starters
Point guard – Raven Johnson (RS Senior)
Shooting guard – MiLaysia Fulwiley (Junior)
Wing – Tessa Johnson (Junior)
Forward – Chloe Kitts (Senior)
Post – Joyce Edwards (Sophomore)

Breakdown: Fulwiley, Tessa, and Kitts seem obvious. If Raven returns, she’ll start at point. If she moves on, Maddy McDaniel seems ready to step into the lineup. The big question mark is the post. I put Edwards in the lineup, but there is a very good chance the starting post isn’t on the team yet.

Projected backup forwards
Ashlyn Watkins (Senior)
Adhel Tac (RS Sophomore)
Maryam Dauda (RS Senior)
Ayla McDowell (Freshman)
Sakima Walker (Sixth-year senior*)

Breakdown: Dawn Staley has openly declared that the Gamecocks are in the market for a big in the portal. Watkins will probably miss at least the first half of the season, so they may be in the market for two, just based on numbers.

Projected backup guards
Maddy McDaniel (Sophomore)
Agot Makeer (Freshman)

Breakdown: If Raven moves on, McDaniel will start. That would leave South Carolina with no returning backup guards. Makeer is extremely talented and should make an immediate impact, but she’ll need help.

Transfer Portal Targets
Last year, South Carolina wasn’t heavily involved with transfers. Dauda came in as a late add, and they talked to Kiki Iriafin, but that never went anywhere.

This year will be different. South Carolina needs a starting-caliber post. If Raven Johnson leaves, South Carolina also needs a backup point guard, preferably a veteran who can slide in effortlessly. South Carolina also probably needs at least one more guard just to have enough for the rotation.

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