Maryam Dauda Embraces Grit Over Glamour in Her First Offseason with South Carolina
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Even before the final buzzer of the 2024-25 season, Maryam Dauda had already mapped out her next move.
Whether South Carolina raised another national championship banner or not, the 6-foot-4 transfer from Arkansas knew exactly where she’d be come May — back in the gym, putting in the work.
“I just feel like I have so much to learn,” Dauda told The Greenville News. “Coming into a new system, learning this system, learning the pace of the game and I am very excited for the offseason because I am going to be in the gym,” she added with a determined smile.
True to her word, Dauda stayed in Columbia after the Gamecocks’ title run was halted by UConn on April 6, opting out of vacation and opting in for grind mode.
A Summer of Sweat and Skill-Building
While most players returned home for a break, Dauda chose to stay and train — even though offseason player development with assistant coaches isn’t permitted until later in June.
Instead, she teamed up with sports performance coach Molly Binetti and Drevon Sweat, a 2022 South Carolina grad and skills coach known for working with past Gamecock stars like Te-Hina Paopao, Zia Cooke, LeLe Grissett, and Destiny Littleton.
“She didn’t want to go home,” Sweat said. “She wanted to stay here, keep working, and be ready — more prepared — for the upcoming season.”
From Arkansas Star to South Carolina Role Player
Dauda arrived in Columbia as a proven player, having averaged 10.1 points and 28.7 minutes per game at Arkansas. But in her first season under Coach Dawn Staley, she had to embrace a lesser role, averaging just 2 points in 6.4 minutes per game.
Still, Dauda understood what came with transferring into a national powerhouse.
Her ability to stretch the floor — rare for a forward — caught the eye of Sweat, despite her 25% three-point shooting. That potential came to light in South Carolina’s Final Four victory over Texas, when Dauda knocked down a deep three with under 25 seconds remaining.
“When are you going to do that in a game?” Staley had asked Dauda during practice just a day earlier.
“That shot gave me relief and confidence,” Dauda said after the game. It was a moment that affirmed her place on the big stage.
Now, she’s working to make sure those moments become consistent.
“As a team, it gives them more assets to use,” Sweat said of Dauda’s long-range ability.
Refining Her Game, Building Her Identity
Training four times a week, Dauda is focusing on increasing her foot speed, tightening her handle, and building her physicality. Sweat also emphasized the importance of mental sharpness and confidence in their workouts.
“A lot of little things, but they add up to big things,” Sweat explained. “It’s about getting used to moving at 110%, but also learning how to control and slow down at that speed.”
Dauda’s growth was visible throughout her first season — especially in the SEC Tournament. In the March 8 win over Oklahoma, she logged just 12 minutes but posted five points, three rebounds, three steals, two blocks, and an assist, finishing with a team-best +18 on the stat sheet.
“She’s starting to put it all together,” Coach Staley said following that game.
More Than Just Hard Work — It’s Commitment
Though offseason work is common among driven college athletes, Dauda’s dedication stands out.
“She’s not late, she’s on time, she’s working the whole time and not complaining,” Sweat said. “She could be at the beach, but she’s choosing this. It’s impressive.”
In an age where distractions are plenty and the transfer portal is always buzzing, Maryam Dauda is proving that focus, discipline, and effort still matter.
And if her offseason is any indication, she’s preparing to make a far bigger impact for the Gamecocks in 2025-26 — not just as a stretch forward, but as a difference-maker.
