Where South Carolina women's basketball ranks in this year's transfer portal recruiting class
The transfer portal has been a major source of news for South Carolina women’s basketball over the last week. The Gamecocks have lost two players to the portal in post player Sakima Walker and guard MiLaysia Fulwiley. They’ve also picked up one transfer commitment in former Florida State guard Ta’Niya Latson.
In On3’s updated team transfer portal rankings, South Carolina featured prominently. Even with just one pledge so far in the class, the Gamecocks have earned the No. 3 spot in the country. Only the TCU Horned Frogs (No. 1) and Ole Miss Rebels (No. 2) are above USC. Those two programs, though, have combined for 10 total transfer commitments this cycle.
That’s how big of a deal landing Ta’Niya Latson is for Carolina. The nation’s top scorer this season, the rising senior will bring the most get-a-bucket ability the team has seen since A’ja Wilson. Universally considered a top-2 transfer this offseason, Latson can put the ball in the basket from all three levels. Combined with the Gamecocks’ depth and other top-end talent, she helps make Dawn Staley’s team a favorite to win next year’s title.
You can check out a breakdown of Latson’s film here.
According to On3’s Talia Goodman, “Sometimes one major addition is enough.” However, the even better news for South Carolina women’s basketball fans is that USC likely won’t add just one player.
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As things stand, the USC staff have four available scholarships to use if they choose to do so. With eight returners (Raven Johnson, Tessa Johnson, Joyce Edwards, Ashlyn Watkins, Chloe Kitts, Adhel Tac, Maddy McDaniel, and Maryam Dauda), two incoming freshmen wings (Ayla McDowell and Agot Makeer), and Latson, Coach Staley would like to add a big-time post player and, in her own words, would also look into opportunites that would “make [the] team better.”
The Gamecocks have gotten involved with several big-time transfer talents other than Latson. Former Mississippi State Bulldogs 6-6 center Madina Okot has emerged as a major target. Elite sharpshooter Gianna Kneepkens, a former Utah Utes star, plans to visit Columbia soon, too. Okot averaged a near double-double this season, while Kneepkens shot over 44% from the 3-point arc.
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South Carolina ranks third nationally in the transfer portal rankings now, but they could move up soon. Plus, no matter what the rankings say, if Staley and company can manage to land a player like Okot and make an upgrade somewhere else on the roster (maybe with a player like Kneepkens), then the Gamecocks could have the most talented and the deepest team in all of women’s college basketball.
