Joyce Edwards played a starring role in South Carolina’s 74-57 win over the Texas Longhorns Friday night to advance to Sunday’s Women’s College Basketball National Championship. She scored 13 points while pulling down 11 rebounds and dishing out six assists—and she got to do so in front of one of her heroes.
Starring in Front of a Hero
In her on-court postgame interview with ESPN’s Holly Wore, Edwards talked about getting to play in front of South Carolina legend and current WNBA superstar A’ja Wilson, who attended the game to support her alma mater.
“It’s crazy for her to see it full circle, how her legacy is inspiring other girls just like me to come out here and play.”
—Joyce Edwards on advancing to the national championship with A’ja Wilson looking on 🙌 pic.twitter.com/bKGy3sntY9
— ESPN (@espn) April 5, 2025
Wilson has long been an inspiration to Edwards, and she first met her when she was just 12 years old.
Wilson also helped secure Edwards’ commitment to South Carolina. She was 247Sports’ second-ranked prospect in the 2024 freshman class. Edwards told The Greenville News that she had a conversation with Wilson while attending a game as a potential recruit.
Now, Edwards is playing on the biggest stage in front of the National Champion and Wooden Award winner, helping build her Gamecock legacy.
“It’s crazy for her to see it full circle, how her legacy is inspiring girls just like me to come out here and play,” Edwards said.
Wilson helped start a trend of dominant bigs to suit up for Staley. While she moved on to the WNBA, where she is now a two-time champion and three-time MVP, she was followed in Columbia by Aliyah Boston and Kamilla Cardoso, and Edwards hopes to add her name to that list.
Edwards is aware of this, specifically telling The Greenville News that she sought a conversation with Wilson “because we play the most similar.”
She led the Gamecocks in scoring this year as their minutes leader off the bench, averaging 12.7 points and 4.8 rebounds while being named to the All-SEC First Team.
KEEP READING: South Carolina’s Dynastic Run Continues
South Carolina will play the winner of the UCONN-UCLA game on Sunday at 3 p.m., with Edwards hoping to help win South Carolina’s second straight national title and fourth overall, eight years after Wilson was named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament in helping to win the program’s first title.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
