From Almost Benched to All-SEC: Sania Feagin’s Rise Fuels Gamecocks’ Success
At one point this season, Dawn Staley nearly benched Sania Feagin. But instead of pulling her from the starting lineup, Staley gave her a chance. Feagin took that challenge personally.
“It fueled my fire,” Feagin admitted, determined to prove she belonged with the starters. Now, with March Madness looming, the senior forward has become a key piece of South Carolina’s dominance—backing it up with career-best numbers and All-SEC honors.
The Long Road to the Spotlight
A McDonald’s All-American and the No. 4 recruit in the Class of 2021, Feagin arrived in Columbia, South Carolina, with high expectations. But her path wasn’t easy. She spent her first two seasons behind future WNBA stars Aliyah Boston, Laeticia Amihere, Victoria Saxton, and Kamilla Cardoso, fighting for minutes.
Despite the challenges, she saw the bigger picture.
“Just reading them, learning from them, and understanding that it’s OK to make mistakes,” Feagin told The State. “You just have to keep playing your game and be dominant.”
Her patience paid off. By her junior year, she was playing in all 38 games, helping the Gamecocks win their third national championship while setting new career highs in points (6.7) and rebounds (3.8).
Breakout Season & All-SEC Honors
This season, Feagin started all 33 games and elevated her game to new heights. She’s averaging 8.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks—all career bests.
“She wasn’t always a starter,” Adhel Tac said. “But she came in, learned her role, played it well, and has now blossomed into an amazing player, teammate, and person. Her patience led her here.”
Feagin’s growth was on full display against Texas earlier this season when she posted nine points, eight rebounds, and a career-high six blocks. It was the kind of performance Staley had been waiting for.
“She’s just giving it up on both sides of the basketball,” Staley said. “For three years, we were waiting for this breakthrough, and now she’s finally there.”
Her stellar play earned her All-SEC Defensive Team honors in early March, alongside teammate Raven Johnson.
“I went from not really playing because of my defense to making the All-SEC Defensive Team,” Feagin said. “That’s a big accomplishment for me.”
Shining in the SEC Tournament
Feagin stepped up again in the SEC Tournament, averaging 12.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and a block per game, helping South Carolina secure its third-straight SEC title. Her efforts landed her on the All-SEC Tournament Team, a recognition she never saw coming.
“I didn’t expect to hear my name called,” Feagin said. “But it just validated all the work I’ve put in.”
Her impact extends beyond the stat sheet. Tac calls Feagin the “heart of our locker room”—a player whose leadership and voice keep the team grounded.
“She’s the kind of player you want on your team,” Tac said. “Not just as a leader, but as a teammate.”
From nearly losing her starting spot to becoming a defensive powerhouse and tournament standout, Sania Feagin’s journey is proof that patience, persistence, and trust in the process pay off. Now, as South Carolina sets its sights on another championship run, Feagin’s rise could be the X-factor the Gamecocks need.
