Skip to main content
South Carolina

Pair of South Carolina wings make On3's list of SEC's top freshmen

Screenshotby: Kevin Miller4 hours agokevinmillerGC
south carolina womens basketball signee agot makeer
South Carolina freshman Agot Makeer (South Carolina Athletics)

South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley signed two players in the Gamecocks’ class of 2025. Five-star wings Agot Makeer and Ayla McDowell chose USC over offers from countless other power programs.

Both Makeer and McDowell earned some preseason recognition this week.

On3’s Talia Goodman continued her preview of the 2025-2026 Southeastern Conference and included the two Gamecock youngsters on her list of the SEC’s top freshmen.

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

Though both players are considered wings and listed on the roster as 6-1 guards, Makeer and McDowell could play somewhat different roles for the Gamecocks.

Makeer has experience playing everywhere but center at the high school level. Her on-ball perimeter ability will make her an important player off the bench for Coach Staley’s squad this season. She can really shoot the basketball, can defend multiple positions, and is an impressive athlete. Makeer likely will play a more perimeter-oriented game as a key reserve.

There is more physicality in McDowell’s game, but she also brings versatility to the table. She can score at multiple levels and defend several positions. McDowell is also a fighter who should bring some added rebounding punch to a team that won’t have Chloe Kitts or Ashlyn Watkins. She, Makeer, and Maryam Dauda could be interesting plug-and-play bench pieces along with post Adhel Tac and scoring guard Maddy McDaniel.

Become part of The Insiders Forum with GamecockCentral. Start for $1 your first week, and get a complimentary year of The Athletic included with your membership.

Last season, Joyce Edwards was a Freshman All-American for South Carolina. Makeer and McDowell have the upside to repeat that feat, though their roles are a bit undefined this preseason. However, with just 10 healthy players on the roster, both freshmen should have many opportunities to prove themselves.

The Gamecocks will open the 2025-2026 regular season against the Grand Canyon ‘Lopes on Monday, November 3rd. The game will not be on traditional television but will stream on SEC Network+ at 7:00 p.m.

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