South Carolina women's basketball: Who could the Gamecocks target in the transfer portal?

The women’s basketball transfer portal hasn’t technically opened yet, but some big names have already entered or are expected to enter. South Carolina is expected to be a significant player in the portal this year, and some connections are already being made.

Follow all the transfer portal action with On3’s Transfer Portal Tracker.

Needs

Post
Frontcourt depth
Veteran point guard/point guard depth

South Carolina got through this season without its usual dominant post, but Dawn Staley would prefer to find that anchor in the middle. Adhel Tac has potential, but even if she makes a big jump in the offseason, the Gamecocks need help inside.

Staley said as much on her call-in show this week. She made an early recruiting pitch to whatever post might be thinking about transferring, calling South Carolina “Post Player U.”

South Carolina could also use another forward for depth. At this point, South Carolina has to assume for roster construction that it won’t have Ashlyn Watkins next season. Think someone in the Sakima Walker mode: a mature player who may not play much.

The Gamecocks might also look for depth at point guard. The type of depth depends on whether Raven Johnson returns for her redshirt senior season. 

If Johnson returns, Maddy McDaniel fills the backup role, and the Gamecocks would only be in the market for an emergency backup (it could even be a walk-on). If Johnson moves on, then McDaniel looks ready to start. In that case, the Gamecocks would be in the market for an experienced backup who could learn the job quickly. Someone like Kierra Fletcher in 2023. 

Stay on top of all things Gamecocks for just $1 for 7 days—lock in this special offer today!

Names

This is not a comprehensive list, just some of the key names.

Serah Williams, 6-4, Junior, Post (Wisconsin, 19.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.3 blocks)
Williams might be the best player in the portal so far, although she only has one season of eligibility left. She is exactly what South Carolina is looking for: a dominant big who can score in the post and protect the rim. 

Of course, almost every team in the country could use a player who is a two-time All-Big Ten and former Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Williams will have options.

Taliah Scott, 5-9, Sophomore, Guard (Auburn, 20.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 steals)
Scott only played three games before a wrist injury ended her season, so she should be able to get a medical redshirt and have three seasons of eligibility left. Scott is an elite scorer, and if Williams is the best player in the portal, Scott might be 1A.

Scott has a “do not contact” tag, and that usually means she knows where she wants to go. Ole Miss has been widely speculated as a landing spot. Scott missed several games as a freshman at Arkansas for undisclosed reasons, and any team interested in her will want to know the reason. 

South Carolina doesn’t look like a good fit for Scott, with one high-volume scoring guard  (MiLaysia Fulwiley) already on the roster. But she’s talented enough that Staley would probably try to find a way to make it work.

Caitlin Weimar, 6-4, Senior, Post (2023-24 at Boston: 18.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.8 blocks)
Weimar transferred to NC State last offseason but suffered a hip injury in the preseason. She ended up leaving the team in January to rehab at home and is back in the portal. Her health is a question mark, but the former Patriot League Player of the Year could be an interesting player for a team looking for a veteran big.

Yakiya Milton, 6-5, Sophomore, Post (Auburn, 1.9 points, 2.3 rebounds)
Milton has size, but she’s a project. Being 6-5 gets attention, but I’m not sure there is enough production to draw interest from South Carolina.

Nylah Wilson, 5-9, Guard (Commited to Auburn, but reopened her recruitment following the coaching change)
Wilson is ranked 28th in the 2025 class but was granted her release after Johnnie Harris was fired. Wilson was good enough that a lot of people thought Harris would at least get one more year.

Wilson’s other finalists were Baylor, Arizona, Penn State, and Texas A&M. They are probably the favorites to land her this time.

Rachael Rose, 5-7, Senior, Guard (Wofford, 2023-24 stats: 22.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 2.1 steals)
Rose is an interesting prospect. The two-time SoCon player of the year only played six games last season due to injury, but she dropped 23 points at Duke and had 20 points and eight rebounds at South Carolina. She has proven she can play at a power conference level.

Kiyomi McMiller, 5-8, Freshman, Guard (Rutgers, 18.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists)
McMiller hasn’t entered the portal yet but is expected to. She is a viral sensation who made a run at Big Ten Freshman of the Year. 

But I wouldn’t touch her with a 29-and-a-half-foot pole. McMiller was suspended multiple times this season, with the first allegedly stemming from a locker room altercation. Whatever the original cause, the way McMiller responded showed a lack of maturity and self-awareness. She’s not worth the risk for a team like South Carolina.

Discuss South Carolina women’s basketball on The Insiders Forum!