After back-to-back trips to the NCAA national finals, the South Carolina Gamecocks are coming into the 2025-2-26 season as one of the clear favorites to win it all. Dawn Staley and her team are now getting ready for the next season, with preseason training already ongoing. Before that, however, the players, and even Staley herself, have some “daily affirmations” for their fans.
The ladies and their coaches had some pretty inspiring messages. Tessa Johnson said:
“Never forget that you matter!”
Chloe Kitts added:
“Love yourself!”
Finally, Dawn Staley herself delivered her own “inspirational” daily affirmation.
“I don’t have an affirmation, but this I do know: I love our fams and I know and I feel our fams love us, so if you are not a fam, and you’re not us, stay out of our conversation,” Staley said. “Love y’all!”
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Even though a lot of players left from last season’s runner-up team, most notably MiLaysia Fulwiley to LSU via the transfer portal, Staley has picked up some very big transfers, including the nation’s leading scorer, Ta’Niya Latson, who is transferring in from FSU. She was also successful in the high school recruiting front, getting five-star freshman Agot Makeer and four-star forward Ayla McDowell.
A lot of familiar names are also returning, most notably the forward duo of Joyce Edwards and Chloe Kitts, both of whom have proven to be effective in Staley’s system. There is also Tessa Johnson, one of the most versatile players in college right now, as well as point guard Raven Johnson, who will possibly start for the Gamecocks next season.
Who Will Be the Starters for Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks Next Season?
South Carolina is expected to have a very deep lineup next season, with many players possibly becoming starters. With all that talent, this begs the question on who should Staley start?
At point guard, Raven Johnson is the one many expect, as she is a proven playmaker. For shooting guard, Tessa Johnson will have to compete with transferee Ta’Niya Latson, whose scoring prowess may lead South Carolina to its third national final in a row.
For forwards, if Latson takes the shooting guard spot, then Tessa Johnson could be given the wing position at three, though an argument for Chloe Kitts for that three spot can also be made. At power forward, it should be Joyce Edwards, who can be put in the center spot should Staley choose to go small. Finally, for center, transferee Ugonne Onyiah may be the one anchoring the middle.
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