Injury Updates As South Carolina Opens Preseason Practice. / sportsearchers.com

South Carolina began its 2026-27 season with its first official practice Monday, kicking off a week of preparation before the Gamecocks’ preseason opener against College of Charleston at the LinkU Invitational — an outdoor game at Credit One Stadium in Charleston, set for 4 p.m. Sunday.

Staley Coy on Injuries, Lets Reporters Observe

Asked about injury concerns entering the year, Staley kept things vague but acknowledged reality with a grin: “Yeah there’s some. Report what you see.”

Watkins and Kitts Progressing Without Braces

Both Ashlyn Watkins and Chloe Kitts enter this season recovering from ACL tears. Watkins tore hers in January 2025, sitting out the entire 2025-26 season before returning to the team in May. Kitts tore hers in October 2025, just before last season began, but has recovered quickly since. Staley praised both players’ progress: “Everybody knows Chloe works her butt off… Ash looks great. Ash is calm, cool, collected and really knows what we want.” Notably, neither player wore a knee brace during the portion of practice open to media. Kitts confirmed the brace is now optional: “I don’t have to wear the brace anymore. It’s kind of if I want to. It’s more of a comfort thing.”

Alicia Tournebize Still Sidelined

Sophomore forward Alicia Tournebize continues managing a finger injury sustained during France’s FIBA World Cup training camp last month, which the French National Team said would keep her out for “several weeks.” She was dressed for practice but did not participate in the portion viewed by media, instead working off to the side with associate head coach Lisa Boyer, shooting primarily with her left hand while wearing a guard or wrap on her right.

Kaeli Wynn’s Cautious Recovery

Freshman forward Kaeli Wynn is still working back from a dislocated kneecap that required surgery in December and caused her to miss her senior year of high school. Staley emphasized a deliberately slow approach: “She’s gotten into some drills, not a whole lot. So we’re gonna take it real slow until she’s absolutely ready to go.”

The Benefit of a Full 15-Player Roster

Staley credited South Carolina’s unusually deep roster for allowing injured players to recover without pressure to rush back: “I think the beauty of having 15 players is, you allow some of the players who are injured to not feel the pressure of having to get out there and play, just to embrace their rehab and embrace their return to play and not be feel rushed… We probably averaged about 10 healthy ones just actually throughout the summer, and it’s working out so far. I know there are some challenges ahead of us, but right now we’re gonna take the calm and the peace and enjoy it.”

Other Notable Observations

Freshman guard Jerzy Robinson wore a brace on her right knee but participated fully in the viewable portion of practice; she had previously missed part of her senior high school season due to a leg injury, though her current situation doesn’t appear serious. Sophomore Ayla McDowell missed Monday’s practice due to a class conflict — not injury-related.

The Big Picture

Despite a lengthy list of players managing various stages of recovery, South Carolina’s depth appears to be functioning as intended — giving the coaching staff flexibility to prioritize long-term health over short-term availability as the team builds toward its season opener.