As South Carolina women’s basketball navigates the 2025-26 season currently ranked third nationally with a 12-1 record, the program’s wish list balances immediate needs with long-term aspirations. Despite early success, injuries and roster transitions have created both challenges and opportunities that will define whether the Gamecocks can capture their fourth national championship under Dawn Staley.
Immediate Roster Health and Recovery
The most urgent item on South Carolina’s wish list centers on frontcourt health. The Gamecocks have been devastated by ACL injuries to key forwards, forcing significant roster adjustments throughout the season.
Senior forward Chloe Kitts tore her ACL in practice and will miss the entire 2025-26 season . Her absence represents a massive blow, as Kitts started 38 games last season, averaging 10.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists, and was named MVP of the SEC Tournament .
The injury crisis compounds with Ashlyn Watkins’ situation. Watkins announced she will not play in the upcoming season but plans to return in 2026-27, after suffering an ACL injury in January . Her return for the 2026-27 campaign becomes a critical wishlist item for future championship runs.
South Carolina has suffered additional temporary roster losses this month as injuries forced forward Madina Okot and guard Agot Makeer into concussion protocol , though Okot has since returned. The program’s wish is simple: maintain a healthy 10-player rotation for the remainder of the season to maximize championship prospects.
Frontcourt Production and Development
With Kitts and Watkins sidelined, South Carolina desperately needs increased production from its remaining big players. Dawn Staley will likely turn to Madina Okot and Joyce Edwards to fill the gap. Okot, a 6-6 transfer from Mississippi State, averaged 11.3 points and 9.6 rebounds last season while shooting nearly 65% .
Edwards has already exceeded expectations. Joyce Edwards, who became just the third Gamecock freshman to earn First-Team All-SEC honors alongside A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston, is the team’s top scorer overall at 13.0 points per game and leads in SEC action with 14.4 points per game.
Edwards’ statistical improvement from last season is remarkable: her points per game increased from 12.7 to 19.8, field goal percentage from 52.9% to 61.3%, and she’s grabbing 6.0 rebounds compared to 5.0 last year. Continued development and consistency from Edwards tops the wishlist for sustained frontcourt dominance.
Alicia Tournebize Integration
The recent addition of international forward Alicia Tournebize provides hope for addressing frontcourt depth concerns. The 6-foot-7 freshman forward from France signed a financial aid agreement and will join the team following the holiday break .
Staley’s enthusiasm about Tournebize suggests significant expectations. “Alicia has an incredible skill set and basketball IQ. She has great touch around the rim, can shoot it out to the 3-point line and is a shot blocker” . Rapid integration and immediate contribution from Tournebize would significantly improve South Carolina’s championship odds.
Her international credentials are impressive. Representing France in FIBA competitions, Tournebize helped her country to a third-place finish at the 2025 FIBA U18 EuroBasket, where she led her team in scoring at 12.1 points per game and rebounding at 8.9 rebounds per game .
Navigating the Brutal Schedule
South Carolina’s schedule remains unforgiving. The Gamecocks face games against 10 currently ranked opponents this season, including rematches with Texas, along with contests against Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, LSU, Ole Miss, and Kentucky .
The wishlist includes collecting signature victories against elite competition while managing the physical toll of SEC play with a thin rotation. LSU’s veteran roster and Texas’ size make both serious threats. The Gamecocks still have superior depth and coaching, but losing Kitts and Watkins removes their size advantage .
Madina Okot’s Eligibility Status
A crucial wishlist item involves securing additional eligibility for center Madina Okot. Staley stated her intention to pursue additional eligibility for Okot, saying “We will fight like heck, fight like heck,” adding “It’s an interesting situation with her but I think it’s worth fighting if she can get another year back” .
If successful, Okot’s return for the 2026-27 season would provide experienced frontcourt depth alongside the returning Watkins and incoming elite recruits. This becomes especially critical given the program’s graduation losses.
Future Recruiting Success and Class of 2026 Development
Looking beyond this season, South Carolina’s wishlist includes maximizing the potential of its elite 2026 recruiting class. Robinson is the highest-ranked recruit for Staley since Joyce Edwards, who was third in the class of 2023 , and joins fellow top-20 prospects Kaeli Wynn and Kelsi Andrews.
The program’s wishlist includes:
- Smooth transitions for incoming freshmen into Staley’s system
- Continued recruiting dominance in subsequent classes
- Development of current bench players into reliable contributors
- Maintaining the program’s championship culture despite roster turnover
Championship Mindset and Mental Toughness
Perhaps the most intangible wishlist item involves maintaining championship standards despite adversity. Under Staley, South Carolina has won three national titles, most recently in 2024, and eight SEC regular-season and Tournament championships since Staley took over in 2008 .
The current team must develop the mental fortitude to overcome injury setbacks and roster limitations. The program’s depth and system give them a chance to stay in control of the SEC and chase another national title, but they no longer have much margin for error .
Sustained Excellence Through Transition
Staley will be without Ta’Niya Latson, Raven Johnson, Maryam Dauda and Madina Okot next season , creating significant roster turnover. The wishlist includes ensuring the incoming talent meshes seamlessly with returning players to maintain championship-level performance.
The addition of Robinson, Wynn, Andrews, and potentially Tournebize’s continued development provides optimism. Combined with Watkins’ anticipated return and the possibility of Okot’s additional eligibility, South Carolina’s 2026-27 roster could match or exceed current talent levels.
The Ultimate Goal
Every item on South Carolina’s wishlist ultimately serves one purpose: competing for national championships. Chloe Kitts’ ACL injury changes South Carolina’s ceiling, but not its identity. The Gamecocks are still built to win now, though every possession in the paint matters more.
As the season progresses, Staley and her staff must navigate these challenges while maintaining the program’s elite standards. The wishlist is ambitious but achievable: health, development, recruitment, and ultimately, another championship banner hanging from the rafters at Colonial Life Arena.
