South Carolina women's basketball: What the newcomers need to do to contribute

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South Carolina lost its Freshies, the most decorated signing class in program history, so the Gamecocks will look drastically different next season. GamecockCentral takes a player-by-player look at the five newcomers’ strengths and weaknesses and what each needs to do this summer to contribute. Next week we’ll look at the returning players.

MiLaysia Fulwiley (Point guard, 5-10, Freshman)
13th-ranked prospect, McDonald’s All-American, Four-time state 2A Player of the Year
Senior stats: 25.6 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 6.2 apg, 5.7 spg, 2.7 bpg 

Projection: Fulwiley is an elite playmaker and scorer. She is listed as a point guard, and has practiced at that position some this summer. But Fulwiley lacks experience as a true point guard and will probably play off the ball this season to ease her learning curve while still taking advantage of her explosiveness, similar to Zia Cooke as a freshman. Like many freshmen, Fulwiley was used to having free reign in high school. She’ll have to adapt to playing within a team structure.

Sahnya Jah (Forward, 6-0, Freshman)
40th-ranked prospect, played for national champion Montverde Academy
Senior stats: 10.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.3 spg

Projection: Jah is probably the freshman least likely to make an impact this season. However, she is a high-energy, defensive-minded player and there’s always a role for that sort of player. Bree Hall had the same scouting report as a freshman and ended up being the most productive player in her class.

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Tessa Johnson (Guard, 6-1, Freshman)
25th-ranked prospect, McDonald’s All-American, Gatorade State Player of the Year (Minnesota),
Senior stats: 24.3 ppg, 6.6 apg, 5.5 rpg, 2.8 spg

Projection: Tessa can shoot, and that has been a sore spot for the Gamecocks. Before the addition of another shooter in Te-Hina Paopao, there was probably a bigger role for Johnson. There will still be a role for her if teams try to load up the paint defensively, which seems likely. The only question is how quickly Johnson can adjust to the longer college three-point line.

Te-Hina Paopao (Guard, 5-9, Senior*)
(at Oregon) 35 games (35 starts), 32.7 mpg, 13.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.3 spg, 42.2 3P%

Strengths: Paopao can hit shots and lots of them. She was 14th in the nation in three-point percentage last season. Papao isn’t just a shooter, though: she can rebound, run the offense, and defend.

Weaknesses: Paopao missed time with injuries during her first two seasons, but didn’t miss a game last year. She never ran the point full-time, always sharing ball-handling responsibility. Oregon also trended in the wrong direction during Paopao’s three seasons, but it’s tough to pin that on her.

Offseason focus: Paopao has to learn South Carolina’s playbook. Kierra Fletcher was in a similar situation last season and was still mastering the playbook at Christmas. 

Projection: Paopao started all but one game she played at Oregon, and it’s doubtful she transferred to come off the bench. She can stretch the court and is a veteran lead guard who can spell Raven Johnson, two of South Carolina’s biggest offseason needs. Paopao said she came to South Carolina to be a leader and win a championship. Her stats might go down a little because of South Carolina’s style of play, but she’s going to be a major player.

* Paopao has an optional Covid year remaining

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Sakima Walker (Center, 6-5, Senior*) 
(at Northwest Florida State) 32 games (32 starts), 29.6 mpg, 16.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.5 bpg, 1.4 apg, 10-19 from three

Strengths: Walker is big, but is able to step out and hit jump shots, making her a versatile scorer. She was named the junior college player of the year last season for leading her team to the national championship. Walker chose South Carolina over Ole Miss.

Weaknesses: It’s fair to question how much of Walker’s game will translate as she doesn’t just move to Division I but the very top of Division I. In two seasons at Rutgers, she averaged 4.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in 32 games and played 10.7 minutes per game.

Offseason focus: Walker has to get up to speed. That means learning the playbook and getting used to Division I basketball again.

Projection: South Carolina is, once again, loaded in the frontcourt. Walker is probably the fourth of the four frontcourt players, but is she the fourth playing seven minutes a game or 15-20? That depends on how well she can carry over most of what she developed in junior college.

* Walker has an optional Covid year remaining

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