These three of South Carolina freshmen have made significant contributions to the No. 3 Gamecocks’ championship pursuit, each bringing unique skills that have helped the team navigate injuries and maintain their position atop the SEC.
Alicia Tournebize: South Carolina’s Christmas Present
Statistics: 8 games, 12.9 mpg, 4.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg, .467 FG%, 4-5 3PT
Perhaps the most remarkable freshman story belongs to Tournebize, the 6-foot-7 international player who committed to South Carolina on December 22 and joined the team on January 1.
“Tournebize was the Gamecocks’ Christmas present,” and the late addition has developed at a remarkable pace.
Rapid Development and Integration
In her first few games, Tournebize operated with a severely limited playbook. South Carolina’s coaching staff kept things simple: “Tournebize wasn’t asked to do much besides be tall and use her fouls,”.
But extra work before and after practice has accelerated her development dramatically. Now the Gamecocks are running plays specifically designed for her, and she’s making an impact on both ends of the floor.
“She’s such a great person. We love having her. She’s a hard worker. She gets work in before and after practice. She’s such a good teammate, and I’m happy to see everything flourish on the court for her,” a teammate said.
Teammate Support and Chemistry
Despite being the “new kid,” Tournebize has been embraced by her teammates, who have invested time in helping her develop.
“She’s my girl. I love her so much,” Madina Okot said. “We’ve been working after practice and before practice, putting in extra work. I’m so happy to see it’s showing up. I just encourage her to keep going and encourage her to get some work in the weight room to get stronger.”
The lack of jealousy or resentment over the late addition speaks to South Carolina’s team culture and Tournebize’s personality.
Shooting Evolution: From Hesitant to Confident
The most dramatic aspect of Tournebize’s development has been her three-point shooting. Video comparisons show a player who has rapidly gained confidence and refined her mechanics.
Against Oklahoma in just her third career game on January 23, Tournebize’s first career three-pointer appeared hesitant and almost accidental, according to the analysis of game footage.
Two weeks later against Tennessee on February 8, the transformation was striking. “Tournebize is moving confidently to her spots, calling for the ball when she is open, and shooting with a surprisingly smooth motion for a 6-7 player,”.
She’s currently 4-for-5 from three-point range—a small sample size, but one that reflects genuine shooting ability rather than luck.
“Tournebize was already a mismatch just because she is 6-7, but becoming a three-point threat just isn’t fair,”.
Agot Makeer: Elite Defense Despite Injury Setbacks
Statistics: 18 games (5 starts), 17.8 mpg, 6.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.1 spg, 0.9 apg, 0.9 bpg, .436 FG%, .225 3PT%
The highest-ranked member of South Carolina’s recruiting class, Makeer has delivered on the hype despite missing eight games due to injuries.
Her defensive prowess has been exceptional, whether playing one-on-one or as part of South Carolina’s increasingly frequent zone looks. Makeer’s quickness and long arms create constant turnover opportunities, and she excels at converting defensive stops into offense—a crucial skill in Dawn Staley’s system.
The one area of concern has been three-point shooting, where Makeer is connecting on just 22.5% of her attempts—disappointing for a player who shot well in the preseason. However, she has a smooth, confident stroke and takes quality shots, suggesting the percentages should improve as the season progresses.
“It’s not easy for a freshman to deal with the missed practice time, but good things happen when Makeer is on the floor, and her absence has been felt when she misses games,”.
Makeer’s current injury status remains day-to-day as she works to return from a lower leg injury suffered in the first quarter against Auburn on January 29. Coach Staley has expressed optimism about her progress, noting she’s participating in more practice activities and could return as early as the LSU game.
Ayla McDowell: The Reliable Sharpshooter
Statistics: 25 games (1 start), 16.1 mpg, 5.2 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 0.8 spg, .431 FG%, .385 3PT%
McDowell may not possess the eye-catching physical attributes of her classmates, but what she brings is something equally valuable: consistency.
“McDowell doesn’t have the eye-popping physical traits or exciting potential of her classmates. What she has is consistency on both ends of the court: a solid defender and a reliable three-point shooter,”. “To be clear, that is a compliment. You need consistent players whom you can count on.”
McDowell ranks second on the team in both three-point percentage and three-pointers made, providing crucial floor spacing and perimeter shooting that opens up driving lanes for South Carolina’s guards.
Dawn Staley has praised McDowell’s reliability and predictability—qualities that might sound mundane but are invaluable in high-pressure situations.
“We know that when we charge her with a task, she’s actually pretty good at just seeing it through,” Staley said, according to On3. “We like the fact that she’s predictable when it comes to that. It really helps us when she’s able to make shots.”
In a program built on defensive intensity and tactical discipline, McDowell’s ability to execute assignments without freelancing or making mistakes has earned her consistent playing time despite being a freshman on a championship-contending team.
Collective Impact on Championship Aspirations
Together, these three freshmen have provided crucial depth for a South Carolina team that has dealt with significant injuries throughout the season. Their contributions have allowed the Gamecocks to maintain their “next woman up” mentality while remaining competitive for both the SEC championship and a national title.
Makeer provides elite perimeter defense and transition scoring when healthy.
McDowell offers reliable three-point shooting and steady two-way play that allows Staley to rest starters without significant drop-off.
Tournebize gives South Carolina a unique weapon: a 6-7 player who can protect the rim, rebound, and step out to hit three-pointers.
Looking Ahead
With five regular season games remaining, these freshmen will play increasingly important roles as South Carolina navigates the final stretch of conference play and prepares for postseason competition.
Makeer’s potential return from injury would provide a significant boost, particularly in matchups against athletic teams like LSU that can create havoc in transition.
McDowell’s shooting will be crucial in close games where South Carolina needs someone to step up and knock down open looks.
Tournebize’s development trajectory suggests she could become a genuine X-factor in March, giving South Carolina a matchup advantage that few teams can counter.
For a program built on developing talent and maximizing potential, the freshman class of 2025-26 has exemplified South Carolina’s culture while contributing meaningfully to championship aspirations. As legendary coach Steve Spurrier recently noted, this team is “competing for the National Championship, probably with UConn”—and these three freshmen are a significant reason why.
source: on3
