South Carolina women's basketball: The Gamecocks have one glaring weakness, could freshman Joyce Edwards be the answer?
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For the first time in nearly a decade, South Carolina enters the season without a dominant post presence.
Beginning with Alaina Coates (2013-17) and going through A’ja Wilson (2014-18), Aliyah Boston (2019-23), and Kamilla Cardoso (2021-2024). Wilson and Boston were national Player of the Year winners who went on to become the top pick in the WNBA Draft. Coates and Cardoso were selected second and third overall, respectively.
Even in that gap year between Wilson and Boston, South Carolina had Alexis Jennings, who was named second-team All-SEC, and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, who would later be a first-round WNBA Draft pick.
This season is different.
Boston and Cardoso have joined Wilson in the WNBA. And Cardoso’s expected successor in the starting lineup, Ashlyn Watkins, is suspended indefinitely following an August arrest.
There are pieces. South Carolina brings back super senior Sakima Walker and senior Sania Feagin, who was a key reserve last season. There are also talented newcomers in redshirt freshman Adhel Tac and transfer Maryam Dauda.
“We’re trying to figure it out not having a dominant big,” Staley said. “It looks a little different and it feels a little different. Collectively I like what we’re bringing to the table. I like the fact that every single one of our bigs is different than the other. I like that you’re going to have to plan for our entire roster.”
However, the answer might be freshman Joyce Edwards. One of the most decorated players ever signed by South Carolina, Edwards was the focus of an intense recruiting battle between South Carolina, LSU, and Clemson.
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She hasn’t played a real game yet, but in the two exhibitions, Edwards was sensational. She had 19 points and 12 rebounds against Memphis and 20 points and 11 rebounds against Clayton State. She also had a team-high six assists.
“We’re going to stretch her out,” Staley said. “If she’s able to do all things, we’re going to ask her to do all things. She’s got the temperament, she’s got the skillset, and she’s got the intellect to do it.”
Edwards doesn’t fit the mold of one of those dominant bigs. She’s only 6-3, a little short for a post, and she isn’t an imposing shot-blocker. Edwards is also more comfortable away from the basket than any of those bigs were as freshmen. That might be her best asset.
“For someone like Joyce, she’s not a player that should blend in with others,” Staley said. “She’s a player that is a big-play maker. She’s a small-play maker. She’s someone that’s super versatile. You can play her at any given position. We put her at point out there in the fourth quarter.”
Edwards has embraced the challenge.
“She has confidence in me and she pushes me to be the best, be positionless, not limit myself,” Edwards said. “I feel like she really emphasizes me being limitless. I feel like she has me playing multiple positions in practice trying to get everything out of me.”
Edwards’ versatility gives Staley more flexibility in creating mismatches, but it shouldn’t detract from what Edwards does best. She rebounds, plays defense, and scores around the rim. Edwards has shown a knack for getting open inside in a position to score, and her teammates know how to find her.
Like Staley said, it might look different, but it sure looks like Edwards will be a force inside.
