'Playing behind her is an honor': USC commitment speaks about South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley
South Carolina women’s basketball commitment Agot Makeer is in New York this week for the McDonald’s All-American Game. She is one of two future Gamecocks who will compete on Tuesday night at Barclays Center, along with fellow blue chip prospect Ayla McDowell.
On Monday, Makeer and the other McDonald’s All-Americans had the chance to talk to the media ahead of Tuesday’s showcase.
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Partnered with her high school teammate (and future SEC rival at Texas) Aaliyah Crump, Makeer’s words dripped with enthusiasm as she talked about the opportunity to compete in the McDonald’s All-American Game, join the South Carolina program, and become a Dawn Staley student.
Said Makeer about Staley, “Playing behind her is an honor. She’s such a cool person…she’s doing such great things for women’s basketball. I’m so excited to represent her and South Carolina.”
Staley’s results on the court (both as a player and as a coach) speak for themselves. Makeer and everyone else in the world of women’s basketball are impressed by those accomplishments.
However, Staley also has impressed the 6-1 Canadian with her willingness to let players make an impact right away. Makeer said to the media in New York, “[Coach Staley] told me, ‘Come in ready.'” She added, “There is space for me to make an impact right away.” This year, true freshman Joyce Edwards earned first-team All-SEC honors despite coming off the bench for the Gamecocks. USC also will lose at least three starters to graduation in guard Te-Hina Paopao, wing Bree Hall, and post player Sania Feagin. Staley will count on some inexperienced faces to step up, maybe even a freshman like Makeer.
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Speaking of making an impact immediately, Makeer told reporters that she is most excited about playing next to former McDonald’s All-American and 2023-2024 Freshman All-SEC team member MiLaysia Fulwiley. Last year, Fulwiley became a household name in her first game in garnet and black.
Makeer also confidently stated that she feels she can bring some Fulwiley-like juice to next year’s team. She said that she will provide “energy, some scoring, and a little bit of everything.” Capable of playing any position on the floor but center, Makeer’s “a little bit of everything” claim could be put to the test.
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The McDonald’s All-American Game will take place on Tuesday, April 1st at 6:30 p.m at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. ESPN2 will air the contest, while the ESPN app will make it available for streaming.
The 2024-2025 version of South Carolina women’s basketball will play Friday night in the Final Four against the Texas-TCU winner. ESPN will broadcast the Gamecocks’ national semifinal at 7:00 p.m., while the ESPN app makes it available for streaming.
