Why Ta’Niya Latson and Madina Okot Chose South Carolina: Inside Staley’s Transfer Wins
Dawn Staley reloaded her South Carolina women’s basketball roster this offseason with two major additions from the transfer portal: Ta’Niya Latson, the nation’s leading scorer from Florida State, and Madina Okot, a 6-foot-6 center with SEC experience and international roots.
Both players are now on campus and recently spoke with the media about what drew them to Columbia, how they see their roles on the team, and what they hope to accomplish under Staley’s leadership.
Latson: Vision, Relationships, and Championship Goals
Ta’Niya Latson lit up the scoreboard last season, averaging 25.2 points per game at FSU — the highest in Division I. Naturally, she was highly sought after in the portal.
“I talked to a lot of schools — LSU, UConn, Tennessee,” Latson shared. “But ultimately, I knew my goals and I knew my vision, and South Carolina had that.”
While NIL compensation came up during her transfer talks, Latson emphasized that money wasn’t her main priority.
“NIL is such a huge thing now, especially with women’s basketball. That was going to be the thing in the portal, and I knew it was going to come,” she said. “I have goals outside of just money… I know my vision, like I said, and all that’s going to come.”
One of those goals? Winning SEC Player of the Year, a title only three Gamecocks have earned.
Another key factor in Latson’s decision was reuniting with Raven Johnson, her former high school teammate at Westlake High School in Atlanta, where they won three state championships and a GEICO Nationals title.
“That’s my sister,” Latson said. “Talking to her definitely convinced me. It made the decision way easier.”
Latson also highlighted South Carolina’s academic support, student resources, and vibrant campus life as major selling points.
“They’re making sure I’m OK with tutoring, academic coaches and everything,” she said. “A lot of schools don’t really have that kind of support… That was a shocker for me.”
Finally, she’s eager to play in front of packed crowds at Colonial Life Arena, a big shift from her FSU days.
“They say it’s like 17,000 fans a night. And I’m like, ‘Ooh, wow, we did not have that,’” Latson said. “That’s going to be an adjustment, for sure, because that plays a part in your game.”
Okot: Staley’s Development Track Record and a Perfect Fit
Madina Okot, a native of Mumias, Kenya, brings elite size and strength to the Gamecocks. After one season at Mississippi State, where she averaged 11.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, and led the SEC in field goal percentage (64.9%), Okot saw South Carolina as the next step in her growth.
She committed shortly after visiting campus in April.
“From the first day I came to visit, the love they showed me — they’ve just been so nice,” Okot said.
Her decision was heavily influenced by Staley’s coaching style and South Carolina’s highly competitive environment.
“I like their playing style, and I like Coach Dawn’s coaching style,” she said. “It’s a better opportunity for competition.”
Okot stands out physically with an 8-foot-8 standing reach and 6-foot-10 wingspan — ideal for a defensive anchor. She’s inspired by Staley’s success in developing elite frontcourt talent like A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, and Kamilla Cardoso.
“If you reflect on her history, she’s been able to produce forward players and center players that are doing very, very good in the WNBA,” Okot said.
Her goals are clear: become more dominant, enhance her passing under pressure, and build chemistry with her teammates.
“I just want to be able to make sure that maybe I’m dominating more than I did last season,” Okot explained. “I want to be able to get out and rebound, read the flow, and kick it out when I’m being double-teamed.”
She also aims to grow as a communicator and leader on and off the court.
“I want to build very strong relationships,” she added.
With Latson’s explosive scoring and Okot’s defensive presence, South Carolina is poised to remain a top contender as Staley continues to evolve her roster without losing her championship edge.
