South Carolina women's basketball: "I'm super happy" - Sania Feagin never doubted Dawn Staley's process

Apparently, “The Process” doesn’t just apply to the Philadelphia 76ers because noted Philly native Dawn Staley brought it south for Sania Feagin. 

Feagin was a little-used freshman on the 2022 national championship team. She played just 43 seconds total in the two Final Four games and didn’t register a stat. Feagin didn’t play at all in the 2023 Final Four. She was a reliable reserve last season but hardly a star.

It wasn’t at all what was expected when Feagin signed with South Carolina. She was ranked fourth in the class but was frequently cited as the most talented player in the class.

“It’s kind of really cool to see someone go through their process,” Dawn Staley said. “Probably the first three years of her college year, didn’t quite look or feel or sound like what she was capable of. I will say that I never let Feagin play less than their standard, less than her standard. That meant she sat a lot. That meant she played here and there, spotted here and there.”

Each spring, Feagin was identified as a likely transfer candidate. Each time, she stayed. 

Even this season wasn’t easy. Feagin probably wouldn’t have been a starter at the beginning of the season if Ashyn Watkins hadn’t been suspended. When Watkins returned and was playing well, Staley texted Feagin to let her know she was making a change in the lineup. 

Feagin aksed for one more chance and swore she wouldn’t let Staley down.

Feagin began to flourish. At 6-3, she is an undersized post. She’s not a natural rebounder of shot-blocker like Watkins, but she made up for it with effort. Feagin blocked 51 of her 106 career shots this season and became South Carolina’s defensive anchor. 

For two seasons, Staley told everyone who would listen that Feagin wasn’t playing because she was such a defensive liability. Even last season, Staley pleaded with Feagin to be a better defender.

This season, Feagin was named to the SEC All-Defensive team. Then she earned All-Tournament honors for her performance against four of the best posts in the SEC, Khamil Pierre, Raegan Beers, and Taylor Jones and Kyla Oldacre. 

“This year it paid off,” Staley said. “When she’s locked in, she’s communicative, she’s skillful, she can stick to a game plan, she can defend. I mean, she’s got great footwork. She’s got a great touch. She is very efficient around the basket. That is her. You’re seeing all of her skill set that we saw during the recruiting process that we didn’t see on a consistent basis her first three years.”

Feagin had a solid offensive tournament, averaging 12.7 points, and her versatility was on display. She scored in the low post, on dribble drives, and on jump shots, even hitting her second three of the season. But Feagin was recognized because of her defense.

Could anyone have imagined it would happen back in 2022 when she was unplayable because of her defense?

“Actually, yes,” Feagin said. “Because I trusted the process and trusted myself to know that everything is going to fall in place for me and everything that I deserve I will get. Me trusting that process, I felt like I was going to be successful.”

On Sunday, Feagin helped cut down the net in Greenville. She’s got quite a collection of nylon: three SEC tournaments, three regional titles, and two national championships. The jewelry collection might be better.

Feagin has won so many rings she lost count, although she said at the beginning of the season that she thinks she still had a bare thumb. It’s a good thing the 2024 national championship rings were designed to also be worn as pendants because now Feagin’s hands are full.

But this season’s additions just mean more. She couldn’t stop smiling in the locker room on Sunday.

“I’m super happy. I’m so excited,” Feagin said. “I’m really helping. I’m really a part of it. I made a contribution.”

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