South Carolina Freshman Ayla McDowell Named to Brazil’s Preliminary Roster for 2025 FIBA AmeriCup
Incoming South Carolina freshman Ayla McDowell is taking her talents international this summer, earning a spot on Brazil’s preliminary roster for the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup, set to take place in Chile from June 28 to July 6.
McDowell, a 6-foot-2 wing out of Houston and the No. 15-ranked player in the 2025 class, holds dual heritage — born in the United States with Brazilian roots through her mother. That lineage allows her to represent Brazil on the international stage.
She made her FIBA debut last summer at the U18 AmeriCup and was part of the World Team at the Nike Hoop Summit this past April. More recently, McDowell appeared in two exhibition games against WNBA squads with Brazil’s national team in May.
While being named to the preliminary roster is a notable milestone, it doesn’t guarantee a spot in the tournament. McDowell will report to training camp on June 15, where Brazil’s staff will evaluate the current 18-player roster. Only 12 athletes will make the final cut. The team also has a friendly scheduled against Canada on June 22.

Brazil will be without its two WNBA stars — Kamilla Cardoso (Chicago Sky) and Damiris Dantas (Dallas Wings) — during camp, as both players continue their seasons. However, they’ll be available for the tournament itself. Cardoso, a recent South Carolina standout, led Brazil to a gold medal in the 2023 AmeriCup, defeating Team USA in the final. She was named MVP of that tournament and went on to dominate her senior season in Columbia.
The AmeriCup serves as a qualifier for both the FIBA World Cup and the Olympics. While it’s a senior-level event, powerhouse programs like the U.S. often field developmental squads. Team USA has yet to announce its training camp roster, but typically relies on top college talent. With Duke’s Kara Lawson serving as head coach — assisted by DeLisha Milton-Jones (Old Dominion) and Jennie Baranczyk (Oklahoma) — some Gamecocks could receive invites.
Another name to watch is fellow Gamecock freshman Agot Makeer, who starred for Canada at last summer’s U18 AmeriCup and earned All-Star Five honors. She’s currently listed in Canada’s 25-player senior national team pool and could be selected, especially given that many of Canada’s top players are active in the WNBA.
Notably, former South Carolina forward and two-time Canadian Olympian Laeticia Amihere is not on the athlete pool list for Canada, leaving questions about her availability for the AmeriCup.
As the summer unfolds, McDowell’s potential debut on the senior stage could provide an early glimpse into her versatility, experience, and readiness to contribute to the Gamecocks this fall — and possibly beyond.