The South Carolina Gamecocks made a deep run in the NCAA tournament last season. They made it to the national championship game, but came up short against the UConn Huskies. The program under Dawn Staley has grown into a powerhouse, especially in women’s basketball.
With another season on the horizon, several Gamecocks stars, including key returners like Chloe Kitts and Raven Johnson, joined the rising stars and transfers for a preseason photoshoot. On Thursday, South Carolina’s official Instagram account shared glimpses from the shoot.
Maryam Dauda, Johnson, Kitts, Adhel Tac, Ta’Niya Latson, Ayla McDowell and Madina Okot were all captured in candid shots handling the basketball on the court.
“Face cards all day…” the post was captioned.
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Kitts was one of the key players in South Carolina’s roster last season. She averaged career highs: 10.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. She earned several honors: SEC Tournament MVP (2025), All-America honorable mention (AP & USBWA, 2025) and NCAA Regional MVP. Johnson also played an important supporting role throughout the season.
South Carolina bolsters their roster through offseason moves
South Carolina scored two major transfer portal moves in the offseason. With the addition of Ta’Niya Latson (from Florida State) and Madina Okot (from Mississippi State), Dawn Staley has received players who can contribute significantly this season. On the flip side, the team lost MiLaysia Fulwiley to the portal. Fulwiley was a key player off the bench for them last season.
In other news, forward Ashlyn Watkins will not play during the 2025-26 season.
“I also want the younger ones who look up to me to know that tough times don’t define you, they make you stronger,” Watkins said. “With everything that’s happened this year, I’m going to take some time off to focus on myself, my community, my faith, and my family, so that I can grow as an individual and attempt to master this journey of life. I’m so grateful for my coaches, the USC medical team, my teammates, and everyone who’s supported me along the way. For now, I’ll be cheering on my team and working hard to come back even stronger in the 2026-27 season.”
Incoming freshmen like Agot Makeer (from Canada) and Ayla McDowell (from Brazil) will join the returning core of Chloe Kitts, Raven Johnson, Joyce Edwards, Maryam Dauda, and Adhel Tac, among others next season.
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