Dawn Staley Delivers on Promise: South Carolina Reloads with Key Transfers for Title Run
After falling to UConn in the 2025 NCAA National Championship game, South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley vowed to bolster her roster through the transfer portal—and she’s followed through in a big way.
Despite bringing in just two players from the portal, both additions—Ta’Niya Latson and Madina Okot—are expected to be game-changers as the Gamecocks eye a fourth national title under Staley.
On3’s Talia Goodman recently named South Carolina one of the biggest SEC winners in the offseason transfer portal race, placing them ahead of fellow powerhouse programs like Tennessee, Ole Miss, and LSU. It’s a nod that’s well-earned.
Latson, previously with Florida State, was widely regarded as one of the top two players in the entire portal class. She led the nation in scoring last season with 25.2 points per game and added 4.6 assists per contest. Now paired with long-time friend and All-SEC point guard Raven Johnson, Latson will have the flexibility to play both on and off the ball—an approach that should allow her to conserve energy and make a dynamic impact from multiple positions on the court.
“She’s shown she can thrive with or without the ball,” one analyst noted. “Coach Staley will let her do both.”
South Carolina’s second portal pickup, 6-foot-6 Madina Okot, addresses a pressing need at center. Last season, several Gamecocks—including now-WNBA player Sania Feagin and forwards Chloe Kitts, Joyce Edwards, Maryam Dauda, and Ashlyn Watkins—were forced into center duties, often playing out of position. Okot, a transfer from Mississippi State, brings elite size, rebounding, and shot-blocking to a team that lacked a true post presence.
“If Adhel Tac continues her development, she and Okot could command most of the minutes at the five,” one insider commented.
Despite the strong additions, South Carolina wasn’t immune to losses. Former hometown favorite MiLaysia Fulwiley transferred to LSU after two seasons marked by flashes of brilliance and inconsistency. Veteran center Sakima Walker also exited, landing with Cal for her final year of eligibility.
Still, the Gamecocks may have upgraded in both areas. Latson offers more immediate impact than Fulwiley, and Okot provides a truer post option than Walker.
The graduation of key players like Feagin, Te-Hina Paopao, and Bree Hall will certainly be felt, but help is on the way. Five-star recruits Agot Makeer and Ayla McDowell are expected to contribute early and help fill the void.
In sum, Coach Staley has once again positioned South Carolina to remain at the forefront of women’s college basketball—keeping her word, and keeping the Gamecocks in the national title conversation.
