Women's College Basketball

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley is set to be honored with a statue in Columbia, South Carolina next to the Alumni Center.

Over her 17-year tenure as head coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks, they have made the NCAA Tournament in 14 consecutive seasons, with seven Final Four appearances and three national championships.

In addition, Staley is a seven-time SEC Coach of the Year, four-time Naismith Coach of the Years and two-time AP Coach of the Year winner.

Before coaching, Staley helped lead the Virginia Cavaliers women's basketball team to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances, averaging 16.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 3.6 steals per game while shooting 46.0 percent from the field for her career.

One of the biggest factors that has drawn players to Staley's organization is her personable coaching style and the way she instills confidence in her players.

"We are very open, honest and frank with our players about where they are, where they stand," Staley said at the beginning of last season, per CBS Sports' Isabel Gonzalez. "... I think the most important thing when working with young people is just communicate with them, don't leave them in a space where they have to think about, 'Oh what do they want from me?"

"You will know why you are playing, why you're not playing, but we won't allow your confidence to drop," Staley continued. "We'll continue to build you up to a place where once you get out there on the floor, you're super productive."

Staley's statue is set to be unveiled on April 30.

LSU women's basketball has added a dynamic piece to the roster via the transfer portal.

Shea Dixon of On3 Sports reported that guard MiLaysia Fulwiley has committed to LSU to continue her collegiate career. Fulwiley spent her first two seasons with South Carolina and was on the program's roster in its 2023-24 national championship season.

Fulwiley averaged 11.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 77 career games for the Gamecocks. She started three games during her time with South Carolina and now will hope to see an increased role with a strong LSU team.

She is one of two Gamecocks who entered the transfer portal this offseason alongside forward Sakima Walker.

Fulwiley joins Amiya Joyner and Kate Koval as LSU's transfer acquisitions this offseason. She has two years of eligibility remaining.

The Tigers went 31-6 in 2024-25 and advanced to the Elite Eight before losing to UCLA. The program is two seasons removed from a national championship and Fulwiley will join a backcourt that already had Flau'Jae Johnson.

Flau'jae Johnson is staying at LSU after all.

The star guard confirmed to Front Office Sports' Annie Costabile that she's returning to the Tigers after entering the transfer portal. She said she wanted to chat with head coach Kim Mulkey and make sure they remain on the same page as she enters her final college season:

Nothing can be taken for granted in the transfer portal era. Few foresaw Olivia Miles bolting Notre Dame for TCU this offseason. MiLaysia Fulwiley is exploring her options after two years at South Carolina.

LSU's recent success and Mulkey's legendary reputation don't make the Tigers immune from being on the wrong side of the portal.

Johnson obviously had plenty of reasons to stay in Baton Rouge, especially since next season will be critical toward cementing her WNBA draft stock.

Without a Caitlin Clark or Paige Bueckers-type cornerstone in the 2026 class, the No. 1 spot could be up for grabs. ESPN's Michael Voepel ranked Johnson fifth in his early big board, and she could easily move up a few spots based on how the 2025-26 campaign unfolds.

"I definitely want to win, but I want to make sure I'm being developed to be the player that I want to be in the WNBA," she said to Costabile. "Trying to find out how I can make that happen this year. I want to be as prepared as possible."

Johnson's continued presence will further fuel hopes of a return to the Final Four at LSU. Between her and Mikaylah Williams, Mulkey retains two of her top three scorers.

The Tigers also signed four players (shooting guard Divine Bourrage, small forward ZaKiyah Johnson, power forward Grace Knox and shooting guard Bella Hines) who are among the top 25 recruits in 247Sports' composite rankings for 2025.

An athlete power couple is getting hitched.

Haley Cavinder, fresh off her final season of college basketball with Miami, revealed on her Instagram story on Thursday that she and Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson are engaged.

Cavinder and Ferguson made their relationship public in 2023, and now they're officially tying the knot.

Cavinder, who spent three seasons at Fresno State before finishing her career at Miami over the last two seasons, averaged 18.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game during the 2024-25 season, earning a Second-team All-ACC nod.

It's unclear what's next for Cavinder as far as her career goes, but she'll have plenty to do as she and Ferguson plan their wedding.

Ferguson, a fourth-round draft pick out of Wisconsin in 2022, had a solid third NFL season, totaling 494 receiving yards on 86 receptions across 14 games. Ferguson will look to help the Cowboys rebound after a rough season last year while also carrying his weight in the wedding planning process.

Paige Bueckers is about to carve out her legacy as the face of the Dallas Wings after she was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 WNBA draft, but she first took the time to reflect on her iconic career at UConn during a sitdown interview with NBC Connecticut.

She opened up about a number of topics, including her relationship with head coach Geno Auriemma, how important her teammates were in her journey and how much pride she takes in carrying on the legacy of the UConn program given its illustrious history of national championships.

And she added to that history this past season by leading the Huskies to their 12th national championship.

While Bueckers was already an all-time great, that title ensured she will be remembered alongside some of the UConn greats such as Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Sue Bird, Rebecca Lobo, Tina Charles, Napheesa Collier and so many more.

"You feel a sense of pride to be able to follow in their footsteps," Bueckers said (9:15 mark). "Every single time you put on the UConn uniform, you're representing something so much bigger than yourself. The legacies from the alums have paved the way for us. They taught us how to do it. They showed us how to do it. They've been through everything that we have. Just being able to lean on them and lean on their support. 

"Just knowing they got through some of the tough times and the people who went to UConn have gone on to be some of the greatest basketball players to ever live. So just seeing that and being a part of that, you just want to live up to that and be half as good as they were. It's really inspiring to just look around the gym and look around this building."

One constant throughout that history of championships has been Auriemma, who has 12 national titles and 24 Final Four appearances on his resume. The program is as dominant as any across the college sports landscape in large part because of what he has built, and Bueckers also reflected on her relationship with the legendary coach.

"Me and Coach, we have a fun, loving, tough relationship," she said (4:40 mark). "Tough love, for sure. But he acts like a mentor to me. Somebody who I go to … and sort of pick apart his wisdom and his knowledge and all of his experiences in all aspects of life with how much he's been through and how much he's learned. 

"I call him the evil genius in terms of what he displays on the court and his coaching style. I wouldn't be who I am without his presence and without his guidance and how much I've learned here as a human being and as a basketball player."

Bueckers also said she is "extremely happy" she chose UConn (13-minute mark), which allowed her to live out her "childhood dream" during an experience she wouldn't give up "for the world."

It was an experience that made her a household name.

And now she will be one of the faces of the WNBA as she looks to parlay all the success she had at the collegiate level into more accomplishments against the best players in the world.

LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson teased a “major announcement” in an Instagram post following the team's Elite Eight finish in the NCAA tournament.

"To Louisiana State University, I’m forever indebted for the opportunity to pursue my dreams," Johnson wrote." Stay tuned for a major announcement soon... 4 junior year out!"

"I’m finally pouring my heart out about the end of our season. I wanted that championship win so badly, but life had other plans," Johnson opened her caption with. "Although it didn’t unfold as I envisioned, I’m reminded that “We can make plans, but the Lord determines our steps” (Proverbs 16:9)."I’m grateful for the journey, with all its highs and lows. Being named 1st Team All-SEC and an AP All-American is an honor, but I’m never satisfied—there’s always room for growth."

"TO MY INCREDIBLE FANS, I SEE YOU! Your unwavering support fuels my passion, and I’m forever grateful. You ride or die for me, and I appreciate that more than words can express," Johnson continued.

The LSU Tigers guard also shouted out her “slimes”—teammates Last-Tear Poa, Sa’Myah Smith, Shayeann Day-Wilson and Aneesah Morrow—writing, “I’m beyond proud of the bond we’ve built. Go be great, and know I’ll always be cheering you on!”

Johnson's post comes after she said on her Best of Both Worlds with Flau'jae podcast that she's not going to declare for the 2025 WNBA Draft. She has spent three seasons at LSU, helping the Tigers win a national title in 2023.

“I’m not trying to go out on an L... Second of all, you gotta think about the, you know, CBA… No WNBA for me. I don’t think it’s time yet," Johnson said (4:27 mark).

In the Tigers 72-65 Elite Eight loss to UCLA, Johnson finished as the leading scorer with 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field in addition to four rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks.

The 5'10" junior averaged 18.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 46.8 percent from the field.

Now it appears the 21-year-old has another move in the works following her cryptic message.

South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley plans to enter the transfer portal after two seasons with the Gamecocks, Lulu Kesin reported Friday for the Greenville News.

Fulwiley ranked second on the team with 11.7 points per game while coming off the bench her sophomore season.

The news comes days after Florida State transfer guard Ta'Niya Latson, who led DI basketball with 25.2 points per game last season, committed to South Carolina.

South Carolina guard Raven Johnson said the same day as Latson's transfer announcement that she would be returning to the Gamecocks for her final year of college eligibility.

Sophomore guard Tessa Johnson, who led the Gamecocks' backcourt reserves with more than 21 minutes per game last season, is also expected to return.

Fulwiley played 18.9 minutes per game last season, an increase over the 18.4 minutes she averaged during her freshman campaign. She could have potentially seen her minutes decrease when Latson joined two guards above her on the depth chart last season.

Fulwiley's overall shooting efficiency decreased among a somewhat inconsistent sophomore season, during which she made 42.6 percent from her attempts form the field and 25.8 percent from deep.

She also recorded multiple clutch performances in big games during the Gamecocks' run to the national championship game, including 23 points in the team's Sweet 16 win over Maryland.

Fulwiley, like former South Carolina star and WNBA icon A'ja Wilson, is a native of Columbia. Unlike Wilson, she is reportedly no longer on track to spend the entirety of her college career with her hometown team.

The NCAA transfer portal closes April 22. A five-star prospect when she joined South Carolina in 2023 who has two years of college eligibility remaining, Fulwiley will likely be one of the most impactful transfer players available before then.

UConn fans will have their chance to celebrate the national champion Huskies on Saturday when the team parades through Hartford, Connecticut.

Gov. Ned Lamont announced the details for the festivities, which will start outside of the state capitol building at 11 a.m. ET. and conclude at XL Center for a rally at around 11:30 a.m.

Local fans will have to check television listings for a broadcast and live stream of the event.

This is the third straight year in which Hartford is hosting an all-conquering UConn squad after the men's team went back to back in 2023 and 2024.

That's unlikely to dampen the enthusiasm.

The nine-year gap since the last time the Huskies won the women's tournament will have felt much longer for their fanbase.

Sunday's 82-59 victory over South Carolina carried some historic significance, too, as it was the crowning moment for star guard Paige Bueckers. No longer does Bueckers have to carry the distinction of being perhaps the best UConn player never to win a title.

Rest assured head coach Geno Auriemma will only let his players bask in their success for so long before the focus will shift to the title defense.

Guard Azzi Fudd and forward Sarah Strong headline the group that's returning in 2025-26, and Strong will be among the early contenders in the national player of the year conversation.

The 6'2" freshman averaged 16.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.7 blocks, and she dominated South Carolina to the tune of 24 points and 15 boards.

Bueckers' career is a prime example of how team success isn't guaranteed, but this week may not be the only time Strong is standing on a stage in Hartford with the championship trophy.

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

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

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.

Sports Illustrated announced Tuesday that TCU women's basketball star Hailey Van Lith is the SI Swimsuit digital cover star for the month of April.

Van Lith recently completed her fifth and final year of college eligibility, leading TCU to its first-ever Elite Eight appearance in the history of its women's basketball program.

The 23-year-old Van Lith transferred to TCU for her final college season after three seasons at Louisville and one at LSU.

Her final collegiate season was among her best, as Van Lith averaged 17.9 points, 5.4 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 three-pointers made and 1.2 steals per game, while shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 33.8 percent from beyond the arc.

The reigning Big 12 Player of the Year also became the first player ever in women's or men's college basketball to reach the Elite Eight on five occasions.

Van Lith has also excelled in the world of three-on-three basketball, helping Team USA win a gold medal at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup and a bronze medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Now, Van Lith is poised to enter the 2025 WNBA draft, and all signs point toward her being a first-round pick.

As for the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Van Lith is the latest in a long line of athletes who have been featured in recent months.

She joins U.S. women's Olympic gymnasts Jordan Chiles and Suni Lee, Paralympics swimmer Ali Truwit, Team USA track and field stars Anna Hall and Gabby Thomas, surfer Caroline Marks and golfer Nelly Korda.

Since 2019, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue's physical copies have been released in May.