Dawn Staley Challenges Joyce Edwards to Channel A’ja Wilson’s Greatness Ahead of New Season
During her appearance on SEC Network’s SEC Tipoff, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley reflected on the dominance of A’ja Wilson, her former star who recently captured her fourth WNBA MVP award and another championship ring.
Staley praised Wilson’s relentless work ethic, competitive drive, and ability to elevate her teammates — all traits that defined her career at South Carolina and beyond. Then, mid-conversation, Staley turned to her right, where sophomore forward Joyce Edwards sat just a few seats away.
“Joyce,” Staley said, pointing toward her. “We need Joyce (to be that).”
The comparison isn’t new — Edwards and Wilson have been linked for years. Both hail from the Columbia area, both were highly decorated high school standouts, and both committed to the Gamecocks after major recruiting battles. Each made first-team All-SEC and reached the Final Four as freshmen, thriving as part of veteran squads.
“Joyce was able to just be Joyce and not feel the extra pressure of performing at a high level because she was playing with so many other great players,” Staley said.
Now, like Wilson once did, Edwards is being asked to take the next step. During Wilson’s sophomore season, she became the SEC Player of the Year after veteran Tiffany Mitchell’s injury forced her to lead. For Edwards, that moment has come sooner than expected following Chloe Kitts’ ACL tear, which sidelines her for the season.
“Joyce is Joyce. Joyce is going to probably take the brunt of it because she’s just got more playing experience under us,” Staley explained. “The same conversations I’m having with Joyce, with or without Chloe, I’m having. It’s not like we’re going to ask somebody to be Chloe because that’s impossible.”
Even before Kitts’ injury, Edwards’ offseason was packed with development. She competed in 3X3 Nationals, won gold at the AmeriCup, and played in the 3X3 NationsLeague — experiences she said sharpened her instincts.
“It’s crazy playing on the national team at such a young age,” Edwards said. “3X3 really focuses on the speed of the game. You’ve got a 12-second shot clock — no time to think. Your instincts kick in. It really shows who’s a dog and who’s not. You can’t hide.”
Staley agreed, crediting the format for exposing and enhancing players’ intelligence and skill.
“Three-on-three reveals who can actually play because you’ve got to be smart,” she said. “You can see who’s skilled enough and intelligent enough to read and react on both sides of the ball.”
While Edwards laughed off the Wilson comparison — something she’s done for years — expectations remain sky-high. Even Wilson herself has taken notice.
When Wilson visited Columbia for her jersey retirement, she practiced with the team and left deeply impressed.
“She’s going to be perfect,” Wilson said. “No one gets you ready for the next level better than Coach Staley. Joyce is in the right hands.”
Eight months later, Edwards credits her growth to the elite competition around her.
“You don’t go to many programs where you play with so many All-Americans,” she said. “It helps you transition from college to your future goals in the league.”
The Gamecocks, ranked No. 2 in the preseason AP Top 25, are again favorites to win the SEC and reach their sixth straight Final Four, even without Kitts. But Edwards knows success isn’t guaranteed — a lesson Wilson and Staley learned firsthand when South Carolina’s 31-1 team was upset by Syracuse in the 2015 Sweet 16.
That loss, Staley says, taught the program two lasting lessons: you don’t automatically repeat success, and you can’t wait until March to start playing your best basketball.
For Joyce Edwards, this season isn’t just about stepping into A’ja Wilson’s shadow — it’s about carving her own legacy under the same bright spotlight.
