South Carolina women's basketball: Offseason projections - Forwards

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This week South Carolina begins offseason workouts. GamecockCentral looks at the strengths, weaknesses, and offseason outlook for each player. today we look at the forwards.

Sakima Walker (GR Senior, Post, 6-5)

31 games (1 start), 2.0 ppg, 1.3 rpg

Strengths: Walker is big, and a good rebounder and a solid defender. She is a mature locker-room presence. 

Weaknesses: Walker is limited offensively and prone to turnovers. She isn’t especially quick and can struggle to keep up with small, quick opponents.

Offseason focus: South Carolina welcomed Walker back for another season for reasons that have nothing to do with playing. She can help mentor Adhel Tac and Maryam Dauda as they head into their first season playing for the Gamecocks.

Projection: Walker is well-liked and respected by her teammates and coaches. She barely played last season, and the Gamecocks added three new frontcourt players despite only losing Kamilla Cardoso, so Walker gets pushed even further down the rotation. 

Sania Feagin (Senior, Forward, 6-3)

38 games (3 starts), 6.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.0 apg

Strengths: Feagin is a skilled offensive player who can score around the basket or be effective from the midrange. In the last couple of months of the season, she emerged as a reliable backup at the four or five, and she contributed more than her stats might suggest.

Weaknesses: Feagin is an average defender and rebound, and not much of a shot-blocker. Those limitations have put a ceiling on her potential.

Offseason focus: At the beginning of last season Feagin struggled when she had to play the five, but by the end of the year she was effective at either frontcourt position. She needs to continue to be effective at multiple positions. Feagin will probably never be a great defender, but as long as she can avoid being a liability Dawn Staley can play her.

Projection: It’s almost hard to believe Feagin is a senior – it seems like she is still a young player learning the game. Instead, she is an experienced, talented player who isn’t afraid of big moments and a willing role player and leader.

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Chloe Kitts (Junior, Forward, 6-3)

37 games (31 starts), 9.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.4 apg, 54.4 FG%

Strengths: Kitts is a versatile offensive player and willing defender. She isn’t afraid of physicality and rebounds well. On the other end, she moves well without the ball, is a good shooter, and passes well.

Weaknesses: Kitts got a lot stronger last offseason, but she still gets pushed around by most opponents her size. She can be careless with the ball in traffic.

Offseason focus: Kitts needs to get continue to get stronger to hold her own inside, but a more consistent outside shot would be a key factor in how much Kitts plays this season. The addition of Tac, Dauda, and Joyce Edwards, who play the four and five, might push Kitts out to the wing.

Projection: Kitts will play – she’s too good not to – but it’s a question of where and how much. She plays well without the ball, which made her a good compliment to Cardoso last season.She might be Ashlyn Watkins’ compliment this season.

Ashlyn Watkins (Junior, Forward, 6-3)

38 games (9 starts), 9.2 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.4 bpg, 1.3 spg, 55.0 FG%

Strengths: Watkins is one of the strongest, most athletic players in the country. She is an elite defender who can guard all five positions and was South Carolina’s best defensive player last season. Watkins grabbed 20 rebounds in the semifinal against NC State and can make plays that you simply don’t see anyone else in women’s basketball make.

Weaknesses: Watkins’ offensive game isn’t the most refined, but it improved throughout last season. She is an emotional player who sometimes loses control, causing her to pick up fouls in bunches or get into the occasional scuffle.

Offseason focus: As Watkins became more effective on offense, Dawn Staley called it her “superpower.” It’s all there – she can shoot, drive, finish – Watkins just needs to get more consistent. She also needs to get better at playing at the right emotional level.

Projection: Watkins came close to a breakout season last year, but a slow start and then some inconsistency kept it from happening. This season everything is set up for Watkins to become a star. Frankly, if she doesn’t average close to a double-double, make All-SEC, and contend for defensive player of the year honors, it will be a disappointment.

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