Joyce Edwards Dominates for Team USA in U23 Nations League Victory
South Carolina Gamecocks standout Joyce Edwards continues to shine on the international stage, this time helping lead Team USA to victory at the 2025 FIBA U23 Nations League Americas 2 tournament in Punta Arenas, Chile.
The week-long event featured six mini three-game tournaments, known as “stops,” where teams earned points based on performance. Although Team USA had already secured automatic qualification for the 2025 3X3 U23 World Cup in China as the defending champions, the squad still put on a dominant display.
Joining Edwards on Team USA were Taylor Bigby (TCU), MiLaysia Fulwiley (LSU), Zee Spearman (Tennessee), Rachel Ullstrom (Richmond), and Serena Sundell (formerly Kansas State). Teams activated four players per day, with substitutions allowed during play. Every athlete participated in four of the six stops.
Team USA won four of the six stops and placed third in the remaining two. Edwards emerged as the team’s most impactful player, leading in scoring during each of her four appearances. She averaged an impressive 10.9 points per game.
This marks Edwards’ third USA Basketball event of the offseason. In May, she competed in the 3X Nationals alongside fellow Gamecocks Chloe Kitts, Tessa Johnson, and Maddy McDaniel, where they secured third place. Just weeks ago, Edwards also starred in the FIBA AmeriCup Tournament, helping Team USA claim gold in Santiago, Chile.
In that tournament, the Americans defeated defending champions Brazil in the gold medal match — a team that featured Gamecocks Kamilla Cardoso and Ayla McDowell. The victory marked Edwards’ third career FIBA gold medal, further solidifying her rising star status on both the national and international stages.
