South Carolina women's basketball: Offseason player outlooks - Forwards

Each offseason, GamecockCentral looks at the strengths, weaknesses, and offseason outlook for each player.

We began the series last week with a look at the guards. Today, we look at South Carolina’s returning forwards. Next week, we’ll cover the incoming players.

Chloe Kitts (Senior, Forward, 6-3)
38 games (38 starts), 10.2 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.9 apg, 33.3 3P%
Strengths: It took three seasons, but we started to see the versatile high school star who reminded me of Breanna Stewart. Kitts is the classic mismatch, taller than most guards but quicker than most forwards. She can score, create, rebound – whatever the other team gives her – and gives her all on defense.

Weaknesses: Kitts is never going to have the muscle or frame to go against opposing bigs. She has gotten much more consistent, but there were still games last season when she failed to make an impact. 

Offseason focus: Keep doing what you’ve been doing. Kitts has made significant improvements each offseason. She’s gotten stronger, improved her shot and handle, and become a leader. Kitts added a three-point shot to her repertoire last season, but to make a WNBA roster, she’ll have to do more than hit the occasional long-range bucket.

Projection: Kitts had a strong start to the season, then a lull after Christmas, followed by a sensational ending that earned All-America recognition and SEC Tournament and Regional MVP awards. Kitts knows what she needs to do and how to do it now, and could make a run at SEC Player of the Year.

Ashlyn Watkins (Senior, Forward, 6-3)
14 games, 7.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.9 bpg, 1.3 spg, 1.1 apg
I can’t do the normal breakdown for Watkins because everything boils down to how quickly she can get back on the court. Watkins tore her ACL against Mississippi State and had surgery in late January. Recovery time can be as short as nine months or up to 12 or 15 in some cases. 

At the Final Four, Staley said Watkins was ahead of schedule, but the doctors will have their say. Watkins runs the risk of rushing back and potentially aggravating the injury. Or, if the rehab drags into the season, Watkins has to decide whether she wants to use her final year of eligibility on less than a full season.

When healthy, Watkins was an elite defender, shot-blocker, and rebounder. Her offensive game could be a little rough, but it was improving.

Stay on top of all things Gamecocks for just $1 for 7 days—lock in this special offer today!

Maryam Dauda (RS Senior, Forward, 6-4)
34 games, 2.0 ppg, 1.9 RPG
Strengths: Dauda is a willing defender with three-point range. She is a solid rebounder and good shot-blocker, although she didn’t show it last season.

Weaknesses: Dauda struggled to make the transition from Arkansas’ run-and-shoot style to South Carolina’s more traditional style. She was snakebit with turnovers and got down on herself.

Offseason focus: Dauda needs to rediscover her game. It started to happen in the postseason when she was a difference-maker against Oklahoma and played well against Texas. If she plays within herself, she can be a consistent contributor.

Projection: Dauda will be more comfortable and thus a better player. Her teammates want her to succeed, which is a big help. Dauda may not be a double-figure scorer, but she doesn’t need to do that to be effective.

Adhel Tac (RS Sophomore, Post, 6-5)
23 games, 1.6 ppg, 1.6 RPG
Strengths: Tac is huge. She’s also smart, engaged, and might have a better understanding of the game than anyone on the team.

Weaknesses: Tac missed almost all of her last two seasons in high school with two serious leg injuries. That lost time set her further back physically than anyone had anticipated. She knows what to do, but her body doesn’t always follow directions. Opponents can get her off-balance, a common problem for players her size at this stage in their careers.

Offseason focus: The coaches love Tac. For the first time in three years, she will spend the summer developing her game instead of rehabbing from injury. That alone should make a difference. Tac needs to improve her strength and balance.

Projection: Tac might be a slow developer, but that isn’t unusual for big players of her size. Think of Sedona Prince, Teaira McCown, and even how much Kamilla Cardoso improved. If Tac can contribute seven or eight minutes a game, that is progress everyone would be happy with.

Joyce Edwards (Sophomore, Forward, 6-3)
39 games (1 start), 12.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.1 spg
Strengths: Edwards has a great touch around the rim. She can also hit the midrange jumper if you leave her open, and she is solid off the bounce. She’s a willing defender who doesn’t back down.

Weaknesses: Edwards struggled against double-teams in the NCAA Tournament. She’s going to see a lot more double-teams next season. She was only average on the glass.

Offseason focus: The biggest focus has to be on handling those double-teams. They aren’t going away; in fact, she’s probably going to see more until she can make opponents pay for it. Dawn Staley said Edwards has the potential to be the best player in the country someday. To do that, she still needs to add a three-point shot, get better off the bounce, and rebound more.

Projection: Edwards is a smart player who is driven to be great. She’ll figure out the double-teams and make improvements across the board. She’s going to contend for SEC Player of the Year, at minimum.

Discuss South Carolina women’s basketball on The Insiders Forum!