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South Carolina women's basketball: Offseason projections - Newcomers

On3 imageby:Chris Wellbaum06/14/24

ChrisWellbaum

Adhel Tac (Photo by Grace Sorrells)
Adhel Tac (Photo by Grace Sorrells)

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Maryam Dauda (RS Junior, Forward, 6-4)

(At Arkansas) 33 games (33 starts), 10.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.2 apg, 2.2 bpg, 31.9 3P%

Strengths: Dauda was third in the SEC in blocks per game (behind Kamilla Cardoso and Ashlyn Watkins). She shoots well from three for somebody her size and has good footwork.

Weaknesses: Dauda’s rebounding average was low for as many minutes as she played, and despite all of the blocks she wasn’t a great one-on-one defender. Both of those could be a product of Arkansas’ system. 

Offseason focus: South Carolina and Arkansas play radically different styles, both offensively and defensively. When Dauda committed, I started to rewatch her game against South Carolina so I could write a scouting report. I gave up before halftime because there was almost nothing she was being asked to do that she would be asked to do next season. She’s got a lot to learn this summer.

Projection: Dauda will probably be Ashlyn Watkins’ backup at the five, but her shooting ability should also allow her to play alongside Watkins as a floor-spacer. I wouldn’t be shocked, though, if Dauda makes a significant jump simply by moving to a system that is friendly to bigs.

Adhel Tac (RS Freshman, Post, 6-5)

Overview: After a knee injury ended her senior season, Tac enrolled at South Carolina in January. She had surgery in February and rehabbed throughout the season. Dawn Staley praised Tac as one of the Gamecocks’ smartest players and compared her to Aliyah Boston. 

Projection: Tac is a throwback, traditional post. South Carolina is going to want to play uptempo this season, so it might be asking too much of her to play major minutes. Still, at minimum, Tac should be able to block some shots and score off alley-oops and putbacks.

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Joyce Edwards (Freshman, Forward, 6-3)

Overview: Edwards is the most decorated high school player ever signed by the Gamecocks, certainly in women’s basketball and maybe in any sport. She has won too many national awards to list, and Camden resorted to making up new awards just for Edwards. She is a strong defender and has outstanding touch around the rim, whether she is scoring or rebounding. 

Projection: Edwards fits the profile of the modern positionless player. She will probably start out as a four, because she needs to get stronger to play the five in college and shoot more consistently to play the wing, but the tools are all there. South Carolina’s depth will allow Edwards to progress at her own pace, but she should contribute immediately.

Maddy McDaniel (Freshman, Point Guard, 5-9)

Overview: McDaniel was the second-ranked point guard in the class and was named the best player in the talent-rich D.C-area. She is explosive off the dribble and excels at getting to the rim and finishing. 

Projection: With South Carolina’s entire guard rotation returning from last season, it’s going to be tough for McDaniel to break into the rotation. That’s okay. She will essentially gets a redshirt season to learn the finer points of playing point guard at a championship level. 

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