South Carolina forward Ashlyn Watkins will miss the entire 2025-26 season due to a knee injury sustained last season. Watkins’ return was already slated for later in the season, but the recent decision clarifies that she’ll work to get fully healthy for the 2026-27 season.
The 6-foot-3 forward does leave a hole in the South Carolina rotation. Here’s how USC might respond.
How will South Carolina Play without Ashlyn Watkins in 2025-26?
More minutes for Joyce Edwards and Chloe Kitts
First, the good news is that this is South Carolina– the cupboard of talent is hardly bare. A couple of likely starters who would have seen substantial minutes will probably see a few more minutes.
6-foot-3 Joyce Edwards was Carolina’s leading scorer as a freshman, piling up 12.7 points per game while starting just once all season. Given that Edwards was as highly regarded as any player in her recruiting class, it’s reasonable to expect her development to continue in 2025-26. She’ll fill some of Watkins’ minutes.
6-foot-2 Chloe Kitts can play the power forward, but is also versatile enough to step out on the wing. Kitts averaged 10.2 points and a team-high 7.7 rebounds per game. Watkins grabbed 6.1 boards per game in her abbreviated season, so in some ways, Kitts is the logical successor to her rebound-heavy production.
Madina Okot could fill in for Ashlyn Watkins
The tallest part of the puzzle to replace Watkins has to be Mississippi State transfer Madina Okot. Okot is 6-foot-5 and functions as a true back-to-the-basket post player. She averaged 11.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. Okot also was 10th in the SEC in blocked shots.
Carolina will weigh a ton of lineup options. Watkins figured to see minutes as a power forward or an undersized center. Okot will certainly be able to fill the same role and has All-SEC level talent. Dawn Staley will have to decide whether to bring Okot off the bench or utilize a longer, taller starting lineup including Okot.
Maryam Dauda could contribute
A forgotten piece of the puzzle may be junior forward Maryam Dauda. Dauda is a 6-foot-4 forward who transferred over from Arkansas ahead of the 2024-25 season. Dauda averaged 10.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game as a sophomore starter at Arkansas.
Dauda played little as a Gamecock last season, averaging 2.0 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. But she’s another lengthy defender who has starting experience in the SEC. It’s reasonable to anticipate that she might manage to play a significant role for the Gamecocks in the absence of Watkins.
Adhel Tac can also help
Likewise, in the fury of five-star players, an existing player who might help is probably being overlooked. Forward Adhel Tac, who is a 6-foot-5 post contributor, had a quiet freshman campaign at USC, averaging 1.6 points and 1.6 rebounds per game.
Tac played just 87 minutes all season, but a year in the program could enable her to be a significant help. Her per 40 minute stats suggest a capable contributor with yet more size.
Freshmen may factor
Freshmen could also impact the South Carolina post situation, albeit most likely indirectly. Both Agot Makeer and Ayla McDowell stand over 6 foot tall, albeit with both more likely suited for a wing role than a power forward role. But if Makeer and McDowell factor in at wing forward, that would clear Kitts to move to power forward on a more frequent basis.
In any case, Staley’s multitude of lineup options gives her the freedom to pursue a multitude of options in the absence of Watkins. Whether it’s big lineups, deep reserves moving into more significant roles, or freshmen opening things up for other post players, South Carolina should be just fine.
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