The South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball program continues its impressive campaign with a 17-1 record and an unblemished 4-0 mark in conference play. This strong performance has propelled the team back to the No. 2 position in the latest AP rankings. Under the leadership of head coach Dawn Staley, the squad remains a serious contender for the national title, bolstered by the development of returning talent and the arrival of two significant transfer additions.
In a midseason evaluation released Thursday, ESPN recognized three Gamecocks athletes among the nation’s top 25 players. Sophomore forward Joyce Edwards earned the No. 11 ranking, while senior transfers Ta’Niya Latson and Madina Okot claimed the 22nd and 25th positions respectively.
Both Latson and Edwards appeared on ESPN’s preseason rankings, though Okot is making her first appearance on the list.
Edwards’ Remarkable Sophomore Surge
Analyst Charlie Creme highlighted Edwards’ dramatic improvement: “Many great players have had their biggest improvement between their freshman and sophomore years. Edwards is no exception. Last year as a steady freshman she led a balanced South Carolina attack. This year she is the dominant force. Edwards is on pace to be the first Gamecocks player to finish the season averaging more than 20 points per game since A’ja Wilson in 2018. Not only is she scoring at a high level, she’s highly efficient with her shot selection and elite finishing skills. Her shooting percentage is 12th best in the country.”
Latson Brings Championship Experience
Michael Voepel discussed Latson’s transition: “Latson spent her first three seasons at Florida State, leading Division I in scoring last season at 25.2 PPG. She wanted a bigger stage and a chance to win an NCAA title, and South Carolina provides both. Her scoring average was expected to potentially drop on a team with more offensive threats, but Latson is still one of the top guards in the SEC. She is shooting a career-best 41% from 3-point range and just returned to the Gamecocks’ lineup after missing three games with an ankle sprain.”
Okot’s Breakout Season
Creme also praised Okot’s development: “Perhaps the SEC’s most improved player, Okot is the latest in a long line of dominant Gamecocks post players. In just her second year as a Division I player, Okot is putting up better numbers than Aliyah Boston did in her first two seasons in Columbia. Last year, Okot helped Mississippi State get to the NCAA tournament. This year, her scoring average has jumped by nearly 4 PPG, she is tied for the most double-doubles in the country, and she’s a centerpiece on a potential Final Four team.”
South Carolina stands alone as the only school nationwide with three representatives on ESPN’s midseason list. Programs like UConn, LSU, Oklahoma, Texas, and UCLA each have two players featured.
