COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina sophomore Joyce Edwards continues to earn national attention ahead of the new season. The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, in partnership with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), announced that Edwards has been named to the 2025-26 Katrina McClain Power Forward of the Year Preseason Top 20 Watchlist — marking the second straight year she’s been recognized among the nation’s elite at her position.
Earlier the same day, Edwards was also named to the Naismith Trophy Watch List, further cementing her status as one of college basketball’s top players.
A standout from her freshman campaign, Edwards led the Gamecocks in scoring with 12.7 points per game and ranked third in rebounding at 5.0 boards per game. Her impressive debut season earned her First-Team All-SEC and All-America honorable mention honors. She also ranked second in the SEC in field goal percentage (57.2%) and set a program freshman record by shooting 77.7% from the free throw line.
Edwards shined brightest on the biggest stage, earning a spot on the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team after averaging 11.5 points and 8.0 rebounds during championship weekend. Over the summer, she helped Team USA capture gold at the FIBA AmeriCup and represented the country again in the FIBA 3×3 Nations League Americas Conference 2.
Fan participation will play a key role in the award’s process. Fan Voting begins Friday, Oct. 31, with rounds taking place throughout the season. The Top 20 list will narrow to 10 players in late January, then to five in late February. Finalists will be presented to Katrina McClain and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee in March, when the winner will be chosen.
The Power Forward of the Year award is one of five honors that make up the Hall’s Women’s Starting Five, alongside the Nancy Lieberman Award (Point Guard), Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (Shooting Guard), Cheryl Miller Award (Small Forward), and Lisa Leslie Award (Center).
Currently ranked No. 2 nationally, South Carolina will play its second exhibition game tonight against No. 11 North Carolina at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster. The Gamecocks’ home opener is set for Monday, Nov. 3, when they host Grand Canyon at Colonial Life Arena. Tipoff is at 7 p.m., streaming live on SEC Network+.
Fans can stay updated by visiting GamecocksOnline.com and following @GamecockWBB on social media.
2025-26 Katrina McClain Power Forward of the Year Preseason Watchlist
- Sunaja Agara, Stanford
- Meghan Anderson, Fairfield
- Janiah Barker, Tennessee
- Sienna Betts, UCLA
- Addy Brown, Iowa State
- Essence Cody, Alabama
- Maggie Doogan, Richmond
- Joyce Edwards, South Carolina
- Toby Fournier, Duke
- Amiya Joyner, LSU
- Allie Kubek, Florida State
- Latasha Lattimore, Ole Miss
- Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, Baylor
- Mir McLean, Maryland
- Khamil Pierre, NC State
- Natalie Potts, Nebraska
- Sa’Myah Smith, Virginia
- Sarah Strong, UConn
- Hannah Stuelke, Iowa
- Sacha Washington, Vanderbilt
