South Carolina W Basketball

Florida State guard Ta'Niya Latson announced Tuesday she's transferring to South Carolina.

Massive news: Ta'Niya Latson, who led the country in scoring last season, will join the South Carolina Gamecocks after transferring from Florida State https://t.co/6kOKwUts6d

— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) April 8, 2025

Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacted to the news on social media:

A birdie just flew in nest!! 🐔🐔🐔

— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) April 8, 2025

Latson averaged 22.5 points and 3.9 assists in her three years with the Seminoles, and she was the highest scorer in the county for 2024-25 with 25.2 points per game.

Staley figured to be aggressive toward strengthening her roster in response to South Carolina's comprehensive 82-59 loss to UConn in the national title game. That one result didn't erase everything the Gamecocks did to that point but exposed some glaring flaws.

The lack of a standout scorer to match the Huskies' Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd certainly stood out. Sophomore guard MiLaysia Fulwiley can be electric at her best, but she's still a little too turnover-prone and struggles as a defender.

Fulwiley simply isn't the same kind of volume scorer Latson is, either. Pairing the two together is a match made in heaven because Fulwiley's playmaking should fit nicely with Latson's shot-making.

Juggling playing time could be tricky, though, because Tessa Johnson and Raven Johnson might've expected Te-Hina Paopao's departure to increase their roles. Instead, Latson will be filling in the 25.1 minutes per game Paopao averaged in her final year.

Another advantage with Latson is her past experience with current South Carolina players. The State's Michael Sauls noted was at the same high school as Raven Johnson and crossed paths with Fulwiley, Joyce Edwards and Ashlyn Watkins on the AAU circuit.

Integrating a marquee transfer into a solidified roster isn't always seamless. It's hard to imagine a better landing spot for Latson than the Gamecocks, though.

Dawn Staley isn't leaving South Carolina anytime soon.

The university announced that the legendary women's basketball coach signed a contract extension to remain with the program until 2030.

Breaking: Dawn Staley has signed a contract extension keeping her with South Carolina until 2030, the school announced.

The new contract will make Staley the highest paid college women’s basketball coach in the history of the sport. pic.twitter.com/ravIEluSQ1

— ESPN (@espn) January 17, 2025

South Carolina confirmed that the deal is worth approximately $25 million, making Staley the highest-paid coach in women's college basketball.

Dawn Staley’s new contract is worth approximately $25 million over the life of the deal. pic.twitter.com/qTXvXZ4GyF

— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) January 17, 2025

"I'm proud to represent the University of South Carolina and of its investment in women's basketball," Staley said in the University's release. "What we've been able to accomplish on the court is a testament to what can happen when you bring together the right people from a team perspective but also have the right commitment from the University, the Athletics Department and the community to providing that team with everything it needs to be successful. I appreciate every person who has been part of our journey – player, staff member, University President and leadership, Board of Trustee member, athletics director, athletics department employee and fan. I look forward to continuing to be an example of how an investment in women's basketball is one that will pay off for everyone."

Staley's contract includes a $250,000 increase in each season and a $500,000 signing bonus, making the total contract value worth $25.2 million.

LSU coach Kim Mulkey was the previous highest-paid coach at $3.264 million per season. Staley's previous contract was worth $3.1 million per season and UConn head coach Geno Auriemma also makes $3.1 million per season.

Staley has been South Carolina's head coach since the 2008-09 season after beginning her coaching career at Temple. With the Gamecocks, Staley has compiled an overall record of 457-107 while leading the program to 13 NCAA Tournament appearances, four Final Four appearances and three National Championships.

The Gamecocks are the current defending champions and have gotten off to a 17-1 start in the 2024-25 season. This contract will keep Staley in Columbia through 2029-30 and the Gamecocks will hope to continue their track record of excellence.

One of the biggest giants in all of sports took a tumble on Sunday, as the No. 1 South Carolina women's basketball team had its 43-game win streak snapped with a 77-62 upset loss to No. 5 UCLA.

The loss dropped the Gamecocks to 5-1 this season, while the Bruins remained undefeated at 5-0 and could rise up the Top 25 following Sunday's monumental victory.

UCLA TAKES DOWN NO. 1 💥@UCLAWBB SNAPS SOUTH CAROLINA'S 43-GAME WINNING STREAK 🤯 pic.twitter.com/9wFegXLFoz

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) November 24, 2024

The last time South Carolina lost was in the 2023 Final Four against an Iowa team led by Caitlin Clark. Per ESPN, this marks the Gamecocks' first road loss since December 2021 and the Bruins' first win over an AP No. 1 team in program history. UCLA was previously 0-20 in such games.

South Carolina was stifled by an aggressive and suffocating UCLA defense. The Gamecocks shot a minuscule 36.4 percent from the field and attempted just eight free throws, numbers that are foreign to a Dawn Staley-coached team. Te-Hina Paopao led the team with 18 points and Tessa Johnson added 14 points off the bench, but they were the only players on the team to score in double figures.

The Bruins had a more balanced attack with five players reaching double digits, led by Londynn Jones' 15 points on five three-pointers off the bench. Elina Aarnisalo had 13 points and Gabriela Jaquez, Kiki Rice and Lauren Betts added 11 points apiece with the latter pulling down 14 rebounds.

South Carolina will have to recover quickly, as it will face No. 8 Iowa State in another top-10 matchup on Thanksgiving Day. UCLA will get to enjoy the victory for a bit longer before returning to action on Friday against UT Martin.

South Carolina announced Tuesday it's retiring the No. 22 jersey of legendary forward A'ja Wilson.

The school shared a video of head coach Dawn Staley making a call to Wilson with the news:

Time for us to give @_ajawilson22 her 💐
See you on 2'2

📰 https://t.co/SdF9ZeuAb0
🎟️ https://t.co/KGGTVLcA2V pic.twitter.com/Zw22eaSGbn

— South Carolina Women's Basketball (@GamecockWBB) October 22, 2024

The Gamecocks will raise her jersey to the rafters of Colonial Life Arena before their home matchup with Auburn on Feb. 2.

Wilson already has a statue outside of the arena, which went up in 2021.

Her jersey would probably be retired by now were it not for the mandatory five-year waiting period. Four other players (Sheila Foster, Shannon Johnson, Tiffany Mitchell and Martha Parker) have their numbers retired.

Staley was in the process of turning South Carolina into a Final Four contender when Wilson signed in 2014. The 2013-14 squad reached the Sweet Sixteen and boasted Mitchell and Alaina Coates, both of whom went on to play in the WNBA.

But Wilson more than anybody else helped to usher in a new era for the Gamecocks. In four years, she averaged 17.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.6 blocks. She earned Associated Press All-American nods every season and was the national player of the year as a senior in 2017-18.

Wilson was also the Most Outstanding Player in the 2017 NCAA tournament as South Carolina lifted its first national title.

Her career was all the more special because she's a native of Columbia, South Carolina. The local star staying home and turning their school into a powerhouse is something ripped straight from a Hollywood film.

Wilson is the greatest player in program history, so having her number retired is an honor that's richly deserved.

The South Carolina women's basketball team apparently gained a notable fan this season.

Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley shared Wednesday that Beyoncé sent her a bouquet of flowers and a letter of congratulations in the wake of the team's national championship victory. The famed singer wrote to Staley to say she and her family followed South Carolina throughout the year.

LOVE ON TOP!! @Beyonce pic.twitter.com/kmIZlQWG3h

— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) April 17, 2024

The Gamecocks became the first team since UConn in 2015-16 to have a perfect season in women's basketball. They overwhelmed Iowa and star guard Caitlin Clark in the title game, pulling away in the second half and winning 87-75.

It was South Carolina's third title since Staley's arrival in 2008. Beyond the success she has delivered on the court, the legendary former point guard is building a legacy and forging an identity in Columbia that has set the program apart.

Getting a shout-out from Beyoncé is a symbol of the Gamecocks' rise in the national consciousness.

Angel Reese had only positives to say after her conference rival took home the 2024 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament.

South Carolina capped off an undefeated season with a 87-75 victory over Iowa. Following the game, Reese took to X to congratulate the Gamecocks and celebrate the season as a whole for the sport.

Such a great season for WBB! Congrats SC!! Excited for what’s next & continuing to come for WBB! 🔥

— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) April 7, 2024

She also shouted out Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley specifically and thanked her for her kindness over the years.

I’m sooo happy for @dawnstaley!! As a black woman, I admire what you’ve done! You always checked on me & always loved me like your own! ❤️

— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) April 7, 2024

Reese is very familiar with what South Carolina is feeling, as she was a catalyst for an LSU team that took home the title a season ago. Her Tigers fell to Iowa in the Elite Eight this season, but the Gamecocks victory ensured that the SEC would take home the title for the third consecutive season.

Staley is also very familiar with this stage. This was her third championship as the head coach of the Gamecocks, with the previous two coming in 2022 and 2017. Sunday's win capped off an undefeated season and Staley has geared South Carolina to a 109-3 record over the past three seasons.

While she grew familiar with Reese via conference play over the past few seasons, that is not set to continue, as Reese declared for the 2024 WNBA Draft.

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley made sure to celebrate the individual contributions of Iowa's Caitlin Clark after the Gamecocks prevailed 87-75 in the 2024 national championship game of women's March Madness.

"I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport," Staley said on the championship podium.

She also called Clark "one of the GOATS of our game."

From one 🐐 to another @dawnstaley 🤝 @CaitlinClark22#NationalChampionship x 🎥 ABC / @GamecockWBB pic.twitter.com/j5CFdlx8f7

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 7, 2024

The biggest question heading into Sunday was whether Clark's individual brilliance could overcome the Gamecocks' collective strength. The answer was definitive.

The national player of the year had a game-high 30 points, but 18 of those came in the first quarter. She also shot 10-of-28 from the field and 5-of-13 from beyond the arc, with South Carolina guard Raven Johnson blanketing her for most of the contest.

Finishing runner-up for the second straight year will be a bitter pill to swallow for Clark and her teammates who were on the 2023 squad. The absence of a title could be important from a legacy perspective as well. It's bound to be a point cited when comparing her résumé with that of other legends.

As Staley's comments underlined, however, nothing about Sunday's result changes the impact Clark has made on the game.

Building on the contributions of those before her, she has unquestionably helped to bring more mainstream attention to women's basketball. The 2024 NCAA tournament has twice set a viewership record already and the ratings for the final could be even higher.

And it will take years to fully appreciate how the 6'0" guard's on-court approach influences the younger players to come.

South Carolina needed just one year to rebuild itself all the way to a title.

The Gamecocks fended off a late charge by Iowa to beat the Hawkeyes 87-75 in the national championship game of the 2024 women's basketball tournament in Cleveland, Ohio.

SOUTH CAROLINA DEFEATS IOWA FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 🏆

GAMECOCKS CAP OFF A PERFECT SEASON 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4a8KS9nke4

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 7, 2024

The victory caps a perfect 38-0 season. UConn in 2015-16 was the last team to go unbeaten in Division I.

Iowa couldn't have hoped for a better start as it jumped out to a 20-9 lead with star guard Caitlin Clark scoring 18 points in the first quarter. South Carolina proceeded to outscore the Hawkeyes by 10 points in the second frame and didn't look back from there.

Clark finished with 30 points as she struggled to carry over her hot shooting across the rest of the game. Gamecocks guard Raven Johnson, who had plenty of motivation coming in, did a great job of smothering the national player of the year.

Caitlin Clark shot 1-5 FG with Raven Johnson as her primary defender in the first half 👀 pic.twitter.com/n83o3zBTHb

— espnW (@espnW) April 7, 2024

Raven Johnson is playing some of the best on ball defense I’ve ever seen in my life

— library j. blige (@theeluvvbelow) April 7, 2024

RAVEN JOHNSON pic.twitter.com/PSh0gzr0nb

— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) April 7, 2024

Center Kamilla Cardoso anchored the paint on both ends of the court with 15 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks. The departure of Monika Czinano from last year's runner-up squad was glaring for the Hawkeyes.

Kamilla Cardoso has been so dominant this entire game!

— WNBA Nation Podcast (@WNBANationPod) April 7, 2024

Kamilla Cardoso today: pic.twitter.com/Eqfvi3PX9l

— Playmaker (@playmaker) April 7, 2024

https://twitter.com/tsnmknd/status/1777080191132569833

Much like Jasmine Carson for LSU a season ago, Tessa Johnson was the wild card Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder didn't plan for. The South Carolina guard had a season-high 19 points off the bench.

Tessa Johnson only led South Carolina in scoring three times this season.

One of those came in the Elite Eight.

Another came today in the National Championship where she posted a career high 19 points.

The freshman stepped up BIG for the Gamecocks in the tournament. pic.twitter.com/faGkoktx04

— Sean Hurd (@seanahurd) April 7, 2024

In general, it was impossible not to marvel at what Dawn Staley accomplished. The Gamecocks lost all five of their primary starters along with Laeticia Amihere from the 2022-23 season. This should've been a bit of a transitional year for the program.

Instead, South Carolina is the national champion.

Congrats to @GamecockWBB and Coach @DawnStaley on a perfect season and their third title! It's been an incredible year for women's basketball, and this team was so disciplined and talented. Well deserved. https://t.co/df5oWdl5a7

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 7, 2024

Lets goooooooo!!!!! South Carolina team has been phenomenal!! @dawnstaley is simply the best!!! Freshmen stepped up BIG, bench was BIG, and the leaders lead BIG!! I love it!!!

— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) April 7, 2024

What a season for South Carolina. Skill, toughness, chemistry, depth - true champions. Salute.

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) April 7, 2024

South Carolina has just been inevitable, absolutely incredible season

— Charlotte Wilder (@TheWilderThings) April 7, 2024

What a season for South Carolina. What a coaching job from Dawn Staley. What a performance from the Gamecocks. What a special moment to witness in person.

What a day, what a weekend, what a year, what a LIFETIME OF EXISTENCE for women's sports.

Thank you, SC. Thank you, Iowa.

— Lindsay Gibbs (@linzsports) April 7, 2024

South Carolina has been the best, most dominant and complete team all season long.

— Rachel Galligan (@RachGall) April 7, 2024

A perfect season from a South Carolina basketball team that, under Dawn Staley, demanded perfection from themselves every possession. These Gamecocks set and upheld the standard from opening tip this year, and the buy-in from the entire squad showcased a commitment to excellence.

— Myles (@MylesEhrlich) April 7, 2024

Caitlin Clark is the best player.

South Carolina is the best team. All season long.

— chelsea leite (@chelsealeite) April 7, 2024

The South Carolina Gamecocks are the National Champions...

Me: pic.twitter.com/46wDYjyukk

— Kirk Hollingsworth (@theUSC) April 7, 2024

iowa isn’t even playing bad! south carolina is just so deep and so good. not sure what more you can do if you’re the Hawkeyes except maybe never miss a shot the rest of the game.

— whitney medworth (@its_whitney) April 7, 2024

Staley and her coaching staff won't waste much time before they lay out the objective for 2024-25: going back-to-back.

Nearly the entire roster is due to return, with Cardoso the most notable player on the way out. Johnson and fellow guard MiLaysia Fulwiley, one of the most electrifying players in the country, are both just freshmen. Ashlyn Watkins and Chloe Kitts are sophomores.

Future success can never be assumed, but it's tough not to wonder how much more such a young squad can achieve.

After Dawn Staley claimed the women's college basketball GOAT needed to have a championship to their name, Iowa star Caitlin Clark shared her opinion on the matter.

Per ESPN's Andrea Adelson, Clark said earning that status doesn't come down to how many games you won, but rather the legacy that you left behind.

"I've played basketball at this university for four years, and for it to come down to two games and that be whether or not I'm proud of myself and proud of the way I've carried myself and proud of the way I've impacted people in their lives, I don't think that's a fair assessment," Clark said.

"I don't want my legacy to be, 'Oh, Caitlin won X amount of games,' or 'Caitlin scored X amount of points.' I hope it's what I was able to do for the game of women's basketball. I hope it is the young boys and young girls that are inspired to play this sport or dream to do whatever they want to do in their lives. For it to come down to 40 minutes and for me to validate myself within 40 minutes, I don't think that's a fair assessment."

Clark's comments came after Staley chimed in on the debate. The South Carolina head coach, who had an outstanding career at Virginia, said she believes a title is needed to earn GOAT status.

"I was really good in college, never won a championship," Staley said. "You've got to win a championship. That's me personally. I had a great career. But it's always, did you win a championship?"

Clark has made a strong case to be considered the GOAT, leading the NCAA in career points with 3,921, winning multiple Player of the Year awards and notching dozens more accolades across her career.

However, the one thing she is missing is a national title. She led the Hawkeyes to the championship game last year, but fell short against LSU. Now, she'll have another chance to claim a title as Iowa faces South Carolina on Sunday.

Clark and Iowa have a big challenge at hand against the undefeated Gamecocks. South Carolina cruised to a win in the Final Four and has plenty of momentum heading into the championship game.

But Clark is looking to close out her career on a positive note, and Staley's comments about needing a championship to become the GOAT could serve as motivation.

Sunday's national championship game will tip off at 3 p.m. ET at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.