South Carolina’s Busy March: Sweet 16 Battle & Transfer Portal Moves

COLUMBIA, S.C. – March Madness is in full swing for South Carolina women’s basketball, but head coach Dawn Staley isn’t just focused on winning the Sweet 16—she’s also keeping an eye on the transfer portal.

“I’m going to call somebody when I leave here. A few people,” Staley said Thursday. “Just because you got to let them know, ‘Hey, we’re thinking about you. We got this run we’re trying to… But you are a priority for us.’”

While Staley trusts her team to handle Maryland in Friday’s Sweet 16 matchup, she also knows they could be valuable in recruiting top talent from the portal. And it looks like some players have already taken on that role.

Gamecocks Already Recruiting?

Star guard Raven Johnson admitted she’s been actively trying to lure Florida State’s Ta’Niya Latson, the nation’s leading scorer, to South Carolina after reports surfaced that she entered the portal.

The State asked a few Gamecocks what their pitch to transfer recruits would be. Here’s what they had to say:

Te-Hina Paopao: “If You Want to Win, Come to South Carolina”

Te-Hina Paopao kept it simple when asked what she’d tell a potential transfer:

“If you want to win, you got to come to South Carolina.”

She emphasized the team-first culture that has made South Carolina one of the most dominant programs in the country.

“Obviously, it’s a lot of team ball,” she said. “You got to lock in and just be able to play outside yourself and be a team player. Just win, that’s what I’m gonna say. If you want to win, just come here to South Carolina.”

Paopao knows the transfer process well—she spent three seasons at Oregon, where she was a two-time All-Pac-12 selection, before making the jump to South Carolina. In her first year with the Gamecocks, she won a national championship, led the country in 3-point percentage, and earned All-American honors.

“I’m actually one of the few very successful portal stories … shoutout to the portal,” Paopao joked. “But at the same time, just super blessed to be able to play for Dawn and it’s just been a fun ride.”

Maryam Dauda: “Give the Process a Chance”

Maryam Dauda knows how intimidating transferring can be but encourages recruits to trust the journey, especially with Staley leading the way.

“I would say having great teammates. For me, I was scared leaving Arkansas, leaving my family and then coming here because I didn’t know what I would expect from my teammates and everything. I was welcomed with open arms.”

A former Arkansas standout, Dauda transferred to South Carolina and has embraced her decision.

“I’m glad I left and I came to Columbia,” she said. “I was nervous at first, leaving home because I didn’t know what to expect. Obviously, basketball-wise, I knew what I was coming into. But school-wise, I didn’t know what to expect, if I’m gonna have friends outside of basketball or anything. But I’m very glad I made that decision.”

Sania Feagin: “You’ll Learn from the Best”

For Sania Feagin, the biggest selling point is the chance to be coached by Staley and her elite staff.

“I would tell them that you’re going to learn from the best.”

Feagin, a forward who has been groomed under some of the best post players in recent years—including Victaria Saxton, Laeticia Amihere, Aliyah Boston, and Kamilla Cardoso—knows what it takes to succeed.

“Post players-wise, I’d tell them come here, work hard, earn your position, trust the process when you do come here and understand that you’re going to get better no matter what.”

Now, after waiting for her moment, Feagin has started all 35 games this season and is proving why South Carolina continues to dominate year after year.

What’s Next?

With South Carolina set to take on Maryland in the Sweet 16 on Friday at 5 p.m. ET, the Gamecocks are balancing their championship chase with a keen eye on potential transfer portal additions.

Could Paopao, Johnson, and Dauda help land the next Gamecock star? Stay tuned.