South Carolina women's basketball: Dawn Staley addresses Ashlyn Watkins's suspension

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On Tuesday, Dawn Staley discussed Ashlyn Watkins’ arrest and suspension for the first time since the star forward was first charged on August 31.

There has been confusion over Watkins’ status since she was first arrested on August 31st.

She was assumed to be suspended following the arrest, per university policy, although that was never confirmed. The following week, spurred by since-deleted social media posts from family members, there were reports that the suspension had been lifted. The university later confirmed that Watkins was still suspended.

Due to the suspension, Watkins has not practiced with the team. She also missed the trip to the White House to be honored for winning last season’s national championship, as well as the team’s appearance at the football game against LSU.

“The status is still the same,” Staley said. “Nothing’s moved yet. We’re not going to move until her situation settles down a little bit. That’s out of her control and out of our control.”

Watkins averaged 9.2 points and 7.4 rebounds last season. She led the team in blocks and grabbed 20 rebounds in the Final Four win over NC State. Watkins is expected to be a starter and a key player for South Carolina next season. 

According to Staley, Watkins is in good spirits despite the situation.

“She’s great,” Staley said. “She’s great.”

Prominent Columbia attorney Todd Rutherford represents Watkins. Rutherford has released a statement asking for patience and claiming that Watkins is innocent and the situation was a “misunderstanding.” The first hearing is scheduled for October 25. South Carolina’s season begins November 4.

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Watkins was charged with assault and kidnapping and released on bail. University of South Carolina Police released the incident report for the events that led to Ashlyn Watkins’ arrest over the weekend, and the report presents a more nuanced but equivocal picture than the arrest warrant.

The arrest warrant stated that Watkins “grabbed the victim’s head and forced her to walk down the hall, thus controlling her movement while preventing her from leaving,” and accused her of “forcefully grabbing (the victim’s) face, pulling her by her arms, and pushing her.” 

According to the incident report, police responded to a fire alarm at 650 Lincoln and saw the victim leaning over the ledge of the third floor of the parking garage and Watkins restraining her. Watkins told police the victim was trying to jump.

Police separated Watkins and the victim. The victim, who is a minor and has not been identified, told police she had “gotten into an argument with Watkins and was attempting to get away from her” and “stated several times to (police) that Watkins hit her.”

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The victim identified Watkins as her “best friend,” while Watkins identified the victim as her “girlfriend.” The victim said she was visiting another “sick friend” on the second floor and Watkins came to that room because she “believed (the victim) was cheating on her.”

The victim said she was not trying to jump and “began to attempt to talk to Watkins.” At this point the victim denied that Watkins had hit her and asked Watkins if she could use her cellphone to call her mother. Watkins told her no. 

Police asked Watkins for her version of events. Watkins confirmed that she confronted the victim about why she was there and “admitted to grabbing her and walking outside,” toward the victim’s car. 

They returned to Watkins’ room to let her dog out, and then the victim ran through the garage towards the edge and “lifted herself up on the edge.” Watkins claimed she “wrapped her arms around (the victim) because she believed (she) was going to jump from the edge of the garage.”

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