Dawn Staley’s Latest Transfer Gem: Ta’Niya Latson Ready to Elevate South Carolina to New Heights
Since arriving at South Carolina, Dawn Staley has built a dynasty fueled not only by elite recruiting but by her ability to identify and develop impact transfers — especially guards. From Valerie Nainima to Kaela Davis, Allisha Gray, Kierra Fletcher, and most recently Te-Hina Paopao, Staley’s transfer success stories include national champions, All-Americans, and future WNBA stars. But her latest addition, Ta’Niya Latson, may be unlike any guard she’s ever coached.
Latson’s basketball résumé is already stacked. She won a national high school championship alongside future Gamecock Raven Johnson in 2021 before making an immediate splash at Florida State. As a freshman, she averaged 21.3 points per game and earned National Freshman of the Year honors. She followed that up by leading the ACC in scoring (21.4 ppg) as a sophomore, and last season she topped the entire nation at 25.2 points per game.
Despite her individual dominance, Latson sought something more. Playing in front of sparse crowds and exiting early in the NCAA Tournament left her craving a bigger stage and greater development opportunities — the kind that South Carolina consistently offers.
Latson emphasized there’s no bad blood with Florida State, but she’s clear about her motivation. At 5-foot-8, she knows she must expand her game beyond scoring to catch the eyes of WNBA scouts.
“She does things extremely well from an offensive standpoint; she can score the basketball,” Staley said. “So we’re challenging her to, one, get mentally tougher, and to work on some things that she probably wouldn’t necessarily work on at Florida State because the scoring load is very heavy. When it’s heavy, you tend not to develop those other qualities that you need to take it to the next level. I don’t think it’s anybody’s fault, it’s just the way it happens.”
Staley was quick to praise Florida State coach Brooke Wyckoff for helping Latson grow into more than just a scorer. Last season, Latson averaged 4.6 assists and 4.6 rebounds, leading a talented Seminole squad featuring Makayla Timpson and O’Mariah Gordon. Still, her primary role was to put the ball in the basket. At South Carolina, Staley wants to unlock the rest of her skill set.
“She’s challenging me on both ends of the floor, both defensively and offensively,” Latson said. “Just seeing things that I normally didn’t see at Florida State. Just continuing to grow my game and be the best player that I can be going into the draft.”
This offseason, the Gamecock coaching staff wasted no time testing Latson. With only one year to work together, Staley made sure her newest star felt the intensity right away.
“It’s so new,” Staley explained. “She’s like a freshman to us. Her hardest days are going to be in practice. Game days are just going to be natural. Do what you naturally do. Don’t think. Think in practice. Don’t think in the game. Just do what you naturally do.”
The results have already impressed the Hall of Fame coach.
“I think what she’s been able to do since June until now is remarkable,” Staley said. “I do see progress. She probably feels like it’s a heavy load, and that’s normal. But at the same time, she’s going to fly around for us once the season starts.”
The biggest adjustment for Latson will be pacing herself within South Carolina’s deep and balanced lineup. She has the ability to take over any game, but Staley wants her to master the timing of when to attack and when to trust her teammates — a balance that could unlock an even more complete version of her game.
Staley drew a comparison to Joyce Edwards, who thrived last season after being allowed to play freely among other stars.
“Joyce was able to just be Joyce and not feel the extra pressure of performing at a high level because she was playing with so many other great players,” Staley said. “It’s the same with Ta’Niya. Ta’Niya’s going to play with other great players. Is she going to be able to score 20 tonight? Yeah, probably. But she also has to learn to protect that as well. Pass out, right?”
Despite being a second-team All-American last season, Latson was only named second-team All-SEC in preseason voting — a sign, perhaps, of lingering doubts about her ability to shine outside Florida State. For Latson, that’s just more fuel.
“Just the history of the program,” Latson said when asked why she chose South Carolina. “Playing with Raven Johnson and playing with Joyce Edwards — I played with them both in high school, so it was just familiar. And then playing under Coach Staley is one of the best experiences that a player could have. Just looking to grow and be the best player that I can be.”
Fans won’t have to wait long to see the new-look Gamecocks in action. South Carolina will make its public debut at GarNET & Black Madness on October 21, followed by an exhibition game against Anderson on October 24.
With Ta’Niya Latson joining an already loaded roster, South Carolina looks primed to stay on top of the college basketball world — and Latson may be the next transfer to etch her name into Dawn Staley’s championship legacy.
