COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina women’s basketball program continues to make waves nationally as four Gamecocks have earned spots on prestigious preseason award watch lists. Sophomore Joyce Edwards, senior Ta’Niya Latson, and senior Raven Johnson each landed on national player of the year watch lists, while freshman Agot Makeer was recognized among the top newcomers in the country.
Four Gamecocks Earn National Recognition
The Wade Trophy and USBWA Ann Meyers Drysdale Award lists feature both Edwards and Latson, while Johnson was added to the USBWA’s Drysdale list and Makeer to the Tamika Catchings Award watch list — given annually to the nation’s top freshman.
Head coach Dawn Staley’s squad continues to show its depth and dominance, with each player representing a different era of the Gamecock program — from veteran leadership to rising stars.
Joyce Edwards: The Steady Force
After a breakout freshman season, Joyce Edwards is quickly establishing herself as one of the SEC’s premier players. She led the Gamecocks in scoring last year with 12.7 points per game and ranked third in rebounds at 5.0 per outing, while shooting an impressive 57.2% from the field, second-best in the SEC.
Edwards earned All-SEC First Team and All-America Honorable Mention honors last season, along with a spot on the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team. She also made headlines internationally, helping Team USA capture gold at the FIBA AmeriCup and competing in the FIBA 3×3 Nations League.
Ta’Niya Latson: The Scoring Machine
Senior Ta’Niya Latson, a transfer from Florida State, wasted no time making her mark in Columbia. In her South Carolina debut, she led the team with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting against Grand Canyon.
Latson was the nation’s leading scorer last season, averaging 25.2 points per game, and is already regarded as one of the most dynamic offensive players in college basketball. Her career includes three All-ACC First Team honors and All-America recognition, with 86 double-figure scoring games, 62 20-point games, and a career-high 40-point explosion at Virginia Tech.
Raven Johnson: The Floor General
The heartbeat of South Carolina’s success, Raven Johnson returns as the team’s veteran point guard and on-court leader. Across three seasons, Johnson has guided the Gamecocks to a 109–5 record, including three consecutive Final Four appearances and the 2024 National Championship.
Johnson ranks 10th in program history with 410 career assists, including 166 in SEC play (5th all-time). Her elite ball control has also earned her three of the top 10 single-season assist-to-turnover ratios in program history. She has collected All-SEC Second Team and SEC All-Defensive Team honors during her career.
Agot Makeer: The Future is Bright
Freshman Agot Makeer is already making an impression. The No. 6 overall recruit in the Class of 2025, she capped her high school career as a McDonald’s All-American and standout for Team Canada in the U19 World Cup, where she averaged 10.3 points and shot 46.2% from three.
In her college debut, Makeer showcased her versatility with five points, three blocks, two assists, and two rebounds, proving why she’s on the Tamika Catchings Award Watch List for the nation’s top freshman.
About the Awards
- The Wade Trophy, presented by the WBCA, honors the most outstanding player in college women’s basketball and will be announced during the 2025 WBCA Convention in Phoenix, coinciding with the 2026 NCAA Women’s Final Four.
- The USBWA presents the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award for National Player of the Year and the Tamika Catchings Award for Freshman of the Year, both of which will also be announced at the 2026 Final Four.
What’s Next for the Gamecocks
The No. 2-ranked Gamecocks continue their homestand Friday, Nov. 7, against Bowling Green at 7 p.m. (SEC Network+), before hosting Clemson on Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. (ESPN2).
Fans can follow all updates via GamecocksOnline.com and on social media @GamecockWBB as South Carolina’s stars chase both team glory and national hardware this season.
