Adhel Tac’s Comeback and Maryam Dauda’s Revival Highlight South Carolina’s Depth and Heart
COLUMBIA, S.C. – With just over a minute left in the first half, Ta’Niya Latson’s layup rolled off the rim — but Adhel Tac wasn’t done. The sophomore forward fought through contact, grabbed the rebound, powered back up, and finished through the foul. As the whistle blew, Tac let out a triumphant scream that echoed through Colonial Life Arena. Her teammates surrounded her in celebration. The score was already 55-30, but the energy felt like a game-winning moment.
For Tac, it was a win. After nearly two years lost to knee injuries, the moment marked a small but powerful victory in her long road back. When she returned last season, she struggled to find rhythm or minutes outside of blowouts. Now, she’s starting to look like her old self again — and her teammates couldn’t be happier.
Tac missed the free throw and didn’t score again, but her impact was undeniable: six rebounds in just 15 minutes, second-most on the team. Her effort was enough to steal minutes from Maryam Dauda, who played only 10.
Two Comeback Stories, One Shared Spirit
For optimists, both players’ performances are encouraging. Dauda had shined in South Carolina’s two exhibition games, averaging 8.0 points and 2.5 rebounds, finally showing confidence and composure after a difficult transition year.
“She’s a complete 180,” said Dawn Staley. “Just more aware, she’s moving well. She’s probably the nicest on the team, so they want it for her.”
Dauda’s story is one of patience and perseverance. Two seasons ago at Arkansas, she was a full-time starter, averaging 10.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and leading the SEC with 2.8 blocks per conference game. When she transferred to South Carolina, she turned down guaranteed starting spots elsewhere — drawn instead by the Gamecocks’ culture and their track record of developing elite forwards.
The transition wasn’t easy. Last season, Dauda averaged just 2.0 points on 32.1% shooting, blocking only five shots all year. But she never lost faith. When she outplayed Oklahoma star Raegan Beers in the SEC Tournament, it showed the payoff from months of unseen work.
“I’m proud of Maryam,” Staley said after the North Carolina game. “She’s been working her tail off all summer long, gave up her summer to stay here and work out. And now the games are a lot cleaner for her. She can see things a lot better. She could process things a lot better.”
Dauda agreed: “I feel like the work I put in over the summer and the confidence my teammates pour into me every day just grows. I just have to trust myself, and that’s what I do every day when I go into practice.”
Tac’s Mind, Heart, and Hustle
While Dauda spoke, Tac was still behind her — practicing. Like her teammate, she spent the offseason in Columbia, dropping the weight she gained while injured and rebuilding her mobility.
“Adhel, oh my goodness, she is such a good confidence booster,” Dauda said. “Her speaking helps everybody else. Even when she’s not in the play, she’s always speaking. And I feel like that helps us in general on the court.”
Tac’s leadership and basketball IQ have become her trademarks. After her senior season of high school was cut short by injury, she enrolled early at South Carolina to rehab. By February, she was breaking down film better than most teammates. By March, she was calling out plays from the bench — a vocal presence even when she couldn’t contribute physically.
“Adhel is, from an intangible communication skills perspective, like Aliyah Boston,” Staley said. “She sees everything, she talks about what’s happening out there on the floor. She’s probably the one that’s talking when they huddle up. She had that last year, too, but now her skill set is catching up to her communication skills. When those things interact, she’s gonna be great for us. I can’t wait.”
Depth in the Post – and a Path Forward
With Chloe Kitts out for the season, Staley will rely heavily on a frontcourt-by-committee approach. Joyce Edwards, fresh off an All-American season, remains the anchor and will likely log close to 30 minutes per game. Madina Okot, who nearly averaged a double-double last year, is poised for another leap.
But Dauda and Tac bring crucial versatility — and heart.
“They’re actually doing things that Joyce and Madina aren’t doing,” Staley said. “They’re defending at a high rate. They’re rebounding at a high rate. They’re more aware of what’s happening. And you need role players like them to play that way — distinctively different than how our starters are playing. They’re going to allow us to go deep and have the depth we’ve had in previous years.”
South Carolina’s frontcourt may look different this season, but thanks to the resilience of players like Dauda and Tac, it’s as strong — and inspiring — as ever. The duo will get their next opportunity to shine Friday against Bowling Green.
