South Carolina’s roster overhaul was well-documented long before the season tipped off. After falling short last April in Tampa, the Gamecocks knew they needed two things: an elite bucket-getter and a physically imposing post presence. So they attacked the portal and brought in exactly that — Ta’Niya Latson, the nation’s returning scoring leader, and Madina Okot, a 6-foot-6 force just shy of averaging a double-double.
Head coach Dawn Staley believed both would be the missing links needed to flip last season’s ending. But it took a little time — four games, to be exact — for both to settle in and finally look like the stars South Carolina expected.
That doesn’t mean Staley ever questioned the process. In her eyes, this exact breakthrough was inevitable. The adjustment period simply required patience.
“They aren’t where they used to be, and they’re not where they need to be, or where they’re going to be,” Staley said. “It really takes a lot of coaches just guiding them, showing them through film. It’s also just talking to them about what they’re feeling because it’s a lot of pressure to play for us. It’s much different than where they come from. So, some of that they have to work through.”
LATSON: FINDING HER FOOTING
Latson opened the season by dropping 20 points on Grand Canyon, but her scoring dipped in each game afterward. Against Clemson, she only took eight shots — far too few for a player with her offensive ceiling.
Was she being too deferential? Or were teammates simply overlooking her in the flow of the offense? Point guard Raven Johnson, her best friend since high school, wasn’t worried.
“I think she’s being Ta’Niya Latson. She’s going to get better, and she knows what she needs to work on.”
Even though most players would be thrilled to average 15.3 points across their first four games on a new team, Latson’s number was still 10 points below her previous season’s output. Staley understood the concern — but also emphasized that Latson was developing skills that would matter even more long-term.
“When you’ve led the nation in scoring, any type of drop-off is concerning to the person that has been that,” Staley said. “But I hope Ta’Niya understands that, in just a short time that she’s been with us, I think she increased her chances of being a pro because of what she’s doing on the defensive side of the ball. She’s really guarding, and she’s very efficient with us. She’s shooting over 50% from the floor.”
Earlier this week, after the men’s game against Radford, Johnson and Latson stayed behind for a private late-night shooting session inside an empty Colonial Life Arena. It wasn’t just about reps — it was a reset.
“We were just talking about being comfortable, being confident, and I feel like both of us needed that,” Johnson said. “Both of us needed that conversation. Playing off of each other is something that we’re really good at, so we’re just hoping that it translates every game.”
It paid off. Latson exploded for 24 points on 8-for-11 shooting against Winthrop, adding five rebounds, four assists, and drawing five fouls. She played like the Florida State version of herself — aggressive, fluid, dominant, but still within the offense.
“My teammates and my coaches (are) giving me grace. I know this is different, coming to a different school, learning a new system, so I’m trying to give myself grace, too. Tonight, I just wanted to play free, and I think I did that.”
Staley emphasized that this is the version of Latson WNBA teams want to see.
“That’s what (WNBA) teams are looking for. They actually know what she can do. It is, can she play with other players?… And it looks good out there at times, but psychologically, hitting that 20-point mark is… I do think it’s something for her,” Staley said. “She dumped some passes off today. So, just expanding her game in that way.”
OKOT: DOMINATING WITHOUT HESITATION
Okot’s transition was smoother. She opened with 12 points vs. Grand Canyon, then posted back-to-back double-doubles. Even when she scored just six points against Southern Cal, she dominated the boards with 15 rebounds, the most by a Gamecock since the 2024 Final Four.
But Staley wanted even more. Too many times, Okot was trying to finesse instead of overpowering defenders — something Staley has seen before with former greats Aliyah Boston and Kamilla Cardoso.
In fact, the similarities are so strong that South Carolina is bringing Boston back to mentor Okot personally.
Time is precious — Staley had years with Boston and Cardoso, but Okot might only be in Columbia for one season. Luckily, she’s learning fast.
Against Winthrop, Okot delivered her breakout: 23 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks, three assists, and she made her first 10 shots.
“That was the plan,” Okot said. “That is always the plan for each and every game. I’m happy for myself because what I’ve been working for is showing up.”
Staley wants this version of Okot to become the standard.
“For us, it’s not any different than how we play,” Staley said. “This is our normal. This is how we play… They’re coming on nicely. They’re very coachable… They want to be great.”
THE BIGGER GOAL
Both Latson and Okot came to South Carolina for the same reasons:
win big — and boost their WNBA stock.
For Latson, that means becoming a more complete two-way guard. For Okot, it means following the blueprint set by Boston, Cardoso, and A’ja Wilson — three centers who now dominate at the highest level.
When Staley pushes them, she reminds them of that goal.
“There’s a lot of critics that have a lot to say about how they’re fitting in, what they’re doing, what they’re not doing,” Staley said. “Always go back to their why… Their ‘why’ is to put them in a better position for being pros.”
The schedule has been intentionally structured to help them adjust — early tune-ups, a big test against Southern Cal, more games to refine their roles, then major matchups in Las Vegas and the ACC/SEC Challenge at Louisville.
Right now, everything is moving in the right direction. All it needed was a little patience — and the ceiling for both stars is still rising.
