South Carolina faces uncertainty in its backcourt as the No. 3 Gamecocks prepare for Monday’s 8 p.m. ET road game against Texas A&M, with the status of guards Agot Makeer and Ta’Niya Latson remaining unclear following their exits during Thursday’s 81-51 victory over Auburn.
AGOT MAKEER’S INJURY SITUATION
Freshman guard Agot Makeer, making her second consecutive start, exited Thursday’s game at the 6:18 mark of the first quarter and never returned after appearing to suffer a hip injury. Makeer converted an early three-point play but was observed falling awkwardly on her left hip during the sequence.
She initially stayed in the game but her mobility visibly deteriorated with each possession before checking out. Makeer was absent from the bench when the first quarter ended, later returning to the sideline with what appeared to be a wrap or heating pad on her thigh/hip area while remaining in uniform.
Head coach Dawn Staley provided minimal details following the game:
“No (status update), she’s in pain and that’s a bummer but we’ll get her back home and get her checked out,” Staley said.
Analysis: As of Friday afternoon, no official update has been released regarding Makeer’s condition or availability for Monday’s game. The SEC injury report will publish ahead of the Texas A&M matchup and again one hour before tipoff, providing the first official indication of her status.
The nature of hip injuries can vary significantly—from minor contusions requiring only rest to more serious soft-tissue damage necessitating extended absence. The fact that Makeer required immediate evaluation and couldn’t return suggests more than minor discomfort, though the extra day between games (Monday rather than the typical Sunday) provides additional recovery time.
Makeer has been averaging 6.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in her freshman season.
TA’NIYA LATSON’S ILLNESS
Senior transfer guard Ta’Niya Latson played 16 first-half minutes against Auburn, scoring five points with two rebounds, but did not return for the second half due to illness rather than injury.
Staley explained the decision to hold Latson out:
“She’s not feeling well so we just decided to hold her out and her teammates stepped up in a big way,” Staley said. “Filled the void of not having her.”
Analysis: Latson’s absence appears less concerning than Makeer’s given its illness-related nature rather than physical injury. Typical illnesses resolve within 24-48 hours, and Latson has until Monday evening to recover—providing nearly four full days from Thursday’s game.
However, no official update has been released regarding Latson’s condition or whether she’s practiced since the Auburn game. The team’s practice schedule and Latson’s participation level would provide the clearest indication of her Monday availability, though such information has not been made public.
Latson is averaging 15.7 points per game—second-highest on the team—making her a crucial component of South Carolina’s offensive attack. She previously missed the first three SEC games this season after spraining her ankle on Dec. 28 against Providence, demonstrating some injury history this season.
IMPACT ON MONDAY’S GAME
If both Makeer and Latson remain unavailable or significantly limited, South Carolina would face genuine backcourt depth challenges despite the team’s overall roster strength. The Auburn game demonstrated the Gamecocks can win convincingly while short-handed—they won by 30 points despite both players’ absences—but road SEC games present different challenges than home contests.
Sophomore Maddy McDaniel and freshman Ayla McDowell would again be called upon for expanded roles. McDaniel delivered a career performance against Auburn with nine points, six assists (career-high), and four steals (career-high) in a team-leading 28 minutes. McDowell contributed eight points and three steals in 24 minutes—her most extensive SEC action this season.
OFFICIAL UPDATES EXPECTED
The SEC requires member institutions to publish injury reports before conference games, with updates one hour prior to tipoff. South Carolina should release its official injury report for the Texas A&M game by Sunday evening or Monday afternoon, providing the first definitive information on both players’ availability.
Until then, Makeer’s status remains questionable at best given the visible pain and need for medical evaluation, while Latson appears more likely to be available given the illness-related nature of her absence and the additional recovery time.
Projected Status:
- Agot Makeer: Questionable to Doubtful (pending medical evaluation of hip injury)
- Ta’Niya Latson: Probable (illness-related, extra recovery days available)
This story will be updated as official injury information becomes available from South Carolina athletics.
