Inside South Carolina Women’s Basketball: Recruiting, Roster Debates, and What’s Next for Joyce Edwards
In the heat of summer and deep in the AAU circuit, South Carolina women’s basketball is already a hot topic—and not just for the weather. In a recent Insiders Forum mailbag session, fans brought their biggest questions, from recruiting class projections to starting lineups, and even how the NIL landscape will impact the Gamecocks.
🔥 Recruiting Outlook: Waiting for the NIL Dominoes
When asked who might join Dawn Staley’s 2025 recruiting class, the response was cautiously optimistic—but vague. The general consensus? Everyone is watching how revenue-sharing and NIL regulations shake out before prospects commit.
“We’ll start to see some dominoes fall in late July and early August,” was the prediction.
South Carolina is expected to take 3–4 players in the class of 2026, due to smaller classes since 2021. The talent pool is deep, with the top 6–7 prospects being strong enough to have ranked No. 1 in previous years.
🏀 Roster Battles: Depth Galore in the Paint
With Madina Okot joining the squad and Ashlyn Watkins expected to return from injury, the Gamecocks are stacked inside. Add in Chloe Kitts, Joyce Edwards, Maryam Dauda, and Adhel Tac, and you have a frontcourt dilemma.
“At least one, maybe two players who are starter-quality are going to come off the bench,” the report noted.
Watkins’ health remains uncertain, and Okot’s eligibility is still a topic of debate due to her two years playing overseas in Kenya. While Dauda and Tac continue to improve and are praised as “two of the sweetest people you will ever meet,” it’s unclear how much playing time they’ll earn.
🔍 Starting Lineup Projections: Let the Debate Begin
Many fans and insiders agree on a backcourt of Raven Johnson, Ta’Niya Latson, and Tessa Johnson. But the frontcourt is up for discussion.
Some argue that Kitts and Okot should start to replicate the chemistry Kitts had with Kamilla Cardoso last season. Others want to see Joyce Edwards at the three, at least part-time. The “small-ball” versus “big lineup” conversation continues.
“Chloe played really well off Cardoso in 2024,” one insider noted. “So put her beside Okot. But are you really okay bringing Joyce off the bench again?”
Freshman wings Agot Makeer and Ayla McDowell could also make an impact and give Staley more size and versatility on the perimeter.
💡 Offense and Outlook: A Stronger Attack in 2024-25?
When asked if South Carolina’s offense will improve, the answer was immediate: “Latson, Ta’Niya.”
The explosive former Florida State guard is expected to provide instant firepower. With floor spacing from Tessa Johnson and a maturing frontcourt, scoring may not be a concern for long.
🗓️ Non-Conference Schedule: Less Home-and-Home, More NIL
Details on the full non-conference slate remain unclear, but it seems Bowling Green and UConn are off the table—for now. The trend appears to be moving toward neutral-site games like the “Real USC” series or Ally Tipoff, which are more financially beneficial and offer NIL opportunities for players.
🌟 All-American Watch: Joyce Edwards or Chloe Kitts?
Both. That’s the hope.
Chloe Kitts was an honorable mention All-American last season and is expected to improve. Joyce Edwards, meanwhile, is being compared to A’ja Wilson in terms of trajectory.
“I think Joyce is on an A’ja Wilson trajectory where the coaches tried not to overwhelm her as a freshman and then unleashed her as a sophomore.”
Final Thoughts
The 2024-25 season is shaping up to be one of South Carolina’s most tactically complex and talent-rich yet. With lineup versatility, a stronger offensive punch, and recruiting decisions on the horizon, Dawn Staley is again preparing to lead a national title contender—with no shortage of difficult decisions ahead.
Title Suggestion:
“South Carolina WBB Mailbag: Lineup Battles, NIL Strategy, and Joyce Edwards’ Rise to Stardom”
Facebook Caption:
Gamecock fans, get ready! 💥 Who will start? Who’s the next All-American? And how will NIL shake up recruiting? Dive into the latest insider updates from the heart of South Carolina WBB! 🐔🏀 #Gamecocks #DawnStaley #JoyceEdwards #NILera #WBB
