South Carolina women's basketball: First look at next season
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South Carolina will look radically different next season. Half of the roster is leaving, and it’s not just the numbers.
The Gamecocks are losing players that have been the core of the most successful period in program history. Aliyah Boston, Zia Cooke, and Brea Beal have been starters since their first game, and rank among the most successful and productive players in program history.
Departures
- F Victaria Saxton
- G Kierra Fletcher
- G/F Laeticia Amihere
- W Brea Beal
- P Aliyah Boston
- G Zia Cooke
- G Olivia Thompson
Returnees
- P Kamilla Cardoso*
- G Talaysia Cooper
- F Sania Feagin
- G Bree Hall
- PG Raven Johnson
- W Chloe Kitts
- F Ashlyn Watkins
- (*Has an optional COVID year of eligibility left)
Additions
- G Milaysia Fulwiley
- G Tessa Johnson
- W Sahnya Jah
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Projections
The freshies have all declared for the draft, so assuming nobody transfers (which is no guarantee) South Carolina has ten players on the roster for next season. That’s on the thin side, so expect the Gamecocks to add a player in the transfer portal, particularly a frontcourt player. However, unlike last season when they clearly needed to add a point guard, there are no glaring holes to be filled, so they can be choosy about who they add.
Forwards
A three-player rotation of Cardoso, Watkins, and Feagin is pretty formidable. With Watkins and Feagin on the court together, South Carolina can push the tempo and get out and run. When Cardoso is on the court you can pound the ball in the paint.
Cardoso is the reigning SEC Sixth Woman of the Year and has established what she can do for the Gamecocks. Feagin and Watkins are unproven, but Dawn Staley has called Feagin the most talented post player she’s ever had, and Watkins the most college-ready freshman she’s ever had.
The trio should each play 25-30 minutes, so it doesn’t really matter who starts. That being said, after she waited to play for two years, you probably have to reward Feagin by putting her in the starting lineup. Whoever doesn’t start will give Staley the burst off the bench that she values.
While that’s a good three-player rotation, South Carolina will probably look to add another forward in the transfer portal. If nothing else, they need another body in case of foul trouble.
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Wings
Hall and Kitts are both glue-type players who can fill in a lot of cracks in a lineup. Hall is more defense-oriented and can slide to the two, but she emerged in the postseason as a legitimate three-point threat. Kitts is a better facilitator who can slide to the four in a small-ball lineup or to the two in a big lineup.
If Staley were choosing a starter today, it would probably be Hall. Hall had an excellent postseason and emerged as a vocal leader-in-waiting. She understands the playbook and is long and athletic.
But Kitts enrolled early to get a head start on next season, and she could make a big jump. Either way, this position is in good hands, and it’s entirely possible that both players are too good not to start.
Jah looks like more of a project than an immediate contributor. But the book on her is energy and defense, two things that will always get a player on the court, even if it’s just for a few minutes at a time.
Two guard
This is the biggest hole in the lineup, with no clear replacement for Cooke waiting in the wings. There are a lot of options, though.
Hall or Kitts could start here, but it thins out the rotation at wing. Cooper has a year in the program and has had her moments this season. The freshmen bring lots of potential, but also questions.
Tessa Johnson was an elite shooter in high school, but she will have to adjust to the deeper three-point line. If she adjusts quickly, Tessa Johnson could definitely find a role as a much-needed shooter to space the floor.
Fulwiley is more of a question mark – in a good way. A generational talent in high school, is she ready to step into the starting lineup as a freshman? And will she stay at point guard or follow in the footsteps of Cooke and change positions to take advantage of her scoring ability?
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Point guard
This is probably the only starting position where there is no doubt. Raven Johnson has the starting job wrapped up, but there isn’t much experience behind her. Cooper and Fulwiley were both high school point guards, and Cooper worked at both guard positions as a freshman.
Like Cooper this season, Fulwiley will probably start out primarily off the ball to ease her into the playbook. Whether it is temporary, like Destanni Henderson, or more permanent, like Cooke, won’t be settled until she gets into practice.
Overview
There are a lot of “if-thens.” Part of it is trying to figure out who plays well together as role players become focal points, but also South Carolina has recruited a bunch of players who fit the trend of positionless basketball.
The starting five is not the “best five.” Staley likes to have a spark off the bench (think A’ja Wilson and Alaina Coates in 2015, Destanni Henderson in 2020, Laeticia Amihere in 2022, and Raven Johnson and Cardoso in 2023).
