South Carolina women's basketball: Molly Binetti names this year's Iron Gamecocks

Ahead of South Carolina’s season opener against Grand Canyon, sports performance coach Molly Binetti announced that Tessa Johnson and Ta’Niya Latson are this year’s Iron Gamecocks.

The award is given at the end of the preseason to the two players who accumulated the most points in offseason workouts. The points are based on overall athleticism and performance in speed, power, strength, and conditioning metrics. 

Previous winners include Ashlyn Watkins and MiLaysia Fulwiley, both multiple-time winners, Laeticia Amihere, and Destanni Henderson, a four-time winner.

Johnson claimed first place. From the beginning of her freshman season in 2023, Johnson increased her vertical jump from 21.6 to 26.6 inches and her broad jump from 7 feet to 7 feet and 8.5 inches. Johnson shortened the ¾ court sprint from 3.27 seconds to 3.14 seconds. She went from not being able to do a chin-up to doing nine chin-ups.

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Latson came in second. She increased her vertical jump from 23 inches to 26.9 inches and her approach jump from 26.3 inches to 31.1 inches. Latson shortened her ¾ court sprint from 3.16 inches to 3.06. She began the summer unable to do a chin-up, but can now do five.

What makes Latson’s accomplishments more impressive is that she did it in just four months. When Latson transferred to South Carolina, she said that she believed South Carolina could make her a better player.

“I wanna be challenged,” Latson said in July. “I know this is my last year of college. Maybe freshman year Ta’Niya would not agree with that, but I have grown a lot, and I know that is only gonna make me better.”

She was challenged almost immediately. Dawn Staley alluded to the (literal) growing pains in October at SEC Tipoff.

“It’s so new. She’s like a freshman to us. Her hardest days are going to be in practice,” she said. “I think what she’s been able to do since June until now is remarkable. I do see progress. She probably feels like it’s a heavy load, and that’s normal.”

In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Latson confessed to slacking off in the weight room earlier in her career.

“My first two years, I did not take the weight room serious,” she said. “I had to hold myself accountable.”

So far, the results are impressive. Latson had 20 points and four assists on 7-10 shooting in her first outing as a Gamecock. Her next chance comes on Friday against Bowling Green.

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