Makayla Timpson and Ta’Niya Latson may no longer be Florida State teammates, but their support for each other still runs strong—even as their paths take different turns in the world of basketball.
Makayla Timpson, the standout forward, recently made her leap to the WNBA after being selected No. 19 overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2025 draft. Meanwhile, her former backcourt partner, Ta’Niya Latson, shook up the NCAA world by transferring to the reigning powerhouse—the South Carolina Gamecocks, fresh off a national championship game appearance.
As Timpson gears up for her WNBA preseason debut against the Washington Mystics this Saturday, she gave fans a first look at her in the Fever jersey with a photo posted to social media. Among the first to react? None other than Latson, who showed love by reposting the photo to her Instagram story with the message:
“Okkk period.”
Their bond, formed during a stellar 2024-25 season at Florida State, is built on shared dominance. Timpson was a double-double machine, averaging 17.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 54.3% from the field. Her efforts earned her a third selection to the ACC All-Defensive Team and her second consecutive All-ACC First Team honor.
Meanwhile, Latson made national headlines as the country’s leading scorer, putting up 25.2 points, along with 4.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, on 45.1% shooting. Despite her offensive brilliance and being named to her third straight All-ACC First Team, she was largely excluded from major Player of the Year talks. One reason? A perceived lack of strength in Florida State’s schedule, which featured only six ranked matchups, three of which came in the ACC tournament—far fewer than peers like JuJu Watkins or Paige Bueckers.
Now, as Latson prepares to wear Garnet and Black for Coach Dawn Staley, excitement is building in Columbia, South Carolina. Staley, speaking about Latson’s arrival, made it clear that the Gamecocks are getting a game-changer:
“Ta’Niya has established herself in the college women’s game and her accomplishments speak for themselves,” said Staley, via SI.com.
But it’s not just Latson’s scoring that excites the Hall of Fame coach. Staley hinted at her plans to unlock Latson’s full toolkit:
“The beauty of her game is not just her ability to score. She has another superpower in her ability to set her teammates up to score—and that’s just a dangerous combination for opposing teams.”
While Staley’s teams have often succeeded without relying on a single star, instead thriving on depth and tactical flexibility, Latson’s arrival might signal a shift. Her elite scoring, vision, and playmaking could add a new layer to an already dominant program.
As Makayla Timpson steps into the pros and Ta’Niya Latson prepares for her Gamecock debut, their journeys may be separate—but their connection and potential to shake up their respective leagues remain very much intertwined.
