South Carolina women's basketball commitment, McDonald's All-American willing to "do the little things" for Gamecocks
South Carolina women’s basketball commitment Ayla McDowell 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 5-star Agot Makeer.
On Monday, McDowell and the other McDonald’s All-Americans had the chance to talk to the media ahead of Tuesday’s showcase.
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Speaking alongside future Oklahoma Sooner (and SEC rival) Aaliyah Chavez, McDowell handled herself well behind the microphone. While South Carolina fans are always optimistic about the future, McDowell’s words will only add to those feelings this offseason.
When speaking about advice she would give younger players, the versatile Brazilian wing inadvertently described how she plays the game. “I’d say, ‘Do the little things,'” McDowell said. She continued, “Do the things that people don’t really pay attention to, like boxing out, getting rebounds, and talking. Off the court, then help out in the community; do a lot of community service things.”
McDowell’s game includes the “little things.” She is a high-effort player who works to make her teammates better. She also defends well and can play multiple positions. Dawn Staley loves that type of player and has said that McDowell will “one day be a captain” at USC.
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Staley has one change in mind for her incoming freshman.
“I’m a very unselfish player, and sometimes I pass up good shots to make a pass…I want to get my teammates open looks,” McDowell said. However, she said her new coach has made it clear that she “[needs] to be more selfish with the ball” sometimes. As talented as McDowell is, the most selfless thing she can do in some scenarios is to show off her scoring chops.
McDowell’s talent, versatility, and team-first mentality could push her to early playing time at USC. The Gamecocks will lose at least three starters to graduation in guard Te-Hina Paopao, wing Bree Hall, and post player Sania Feagin.
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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, but their opponent hasn’t been decided. (The Gamecocks will face off with the winner of that Texas-TCU Elite Eight contest on Monday night.) ESPN will broadcast that national semifinal at 7:00 p.m., while the ESPN app makes it available for streaming. The other semifinal will begin around 9:30 p.m.
