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South Carolina women's basketball puts three on Naismith Trophy watch list

Screenshotby: Kevin Miller5 hours agokevinmillerGC
South Carolina women's basketball guard Ta'Niya Latson. Photo by: Katie Dugan | GamecockCentral
South Carolina women's basketball guard Ta'Niya Latson. Photo by: Katie Dugan | GamecockCentral

South Carolina women’s basketball has put three players on the preseason watch list for the 2025-2026 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Women’s College Basketball Player of the Year. Given annually to the top player in the country, the Naismith Trophy’s preseason watch list included 50 of the top standouts across women’s basketball. For the Gamecocks, senior guards Raven Johnson and Ta’Niya Latson and sophomore forward Joyce Edwards earned the honor.

NEW! Message board for South Carolina Women’s Basketball!

Johnson, a two-time national champion with USC, returns as the starting point guard. She is a former All-SEC selection and ranks 10th all-time on the program’s assists list. If she continues her career pace, she will reach the top five this season. Johnson is also one of the greatest winners in South Carolina history, as the Gamecocks have lost just seven games over four years with No. 25 on the roster.

Edwards, heading into her second year at Carolina, will enter the starting lineup after being a key reserve last season. Even coming off the bench, she was a Freshman All-American and an All-SEC selection. Edwards led the 2024-2025 team in scoring and will be a major part of USC’s success this year, as well.

A new addition to South Carolina, Latson transferred in from Florida State this offseason. She led the nation in scoring (25.4 points per game) last season for the Seminoles. Latson has history with several current Gamecocks, having played AAU ball with both Johnson and Edwards. She was an All-American last season.

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The No. 2 South Carolina women’s basketball team will begin its season on Monday against Grand Canyon. If the Gamecocks are going to win their fourth national title, success likely starts with the team’s three Naismith Trophy nominees.

Carolina legends A’ja Wilson (2017-2018) and Aliyah Boston (2021-2022) previously won the Naismith Award. South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley won the Naismith Trophy twice as a player at Virginia in 1990-1991 and 1991-1992.

NEW! Message board for South Carolina Women’s Basketball!