Over the weekend, Ashlyn Watkins, a standout forward for the South Carolina basketball team, was arrested following an incident on Saturday morning. Initially, she faced serious charges of first-degree assault and battery as well as kidnapping, which could lead to prison sentences of up to 10 years. However, these charges did not fully capture the circumstances of the event.
As details emerged in the following days, it became evident that more information was needed to understand what transpired. By Wednesday, WIS News 10’s Naomi Popa reported that the automatic suspension imposed on Watkins after her arrest was being lifted.
The lifting of the suspension suggests that the two felony charges against Watkins may not hold. Reports indicate that while Watkins did restrain the victim during a confrontation, her intention was to prevent the alleged victim from jumping off a ledge. This aligns with Watkins’ consistent claim of innocence since the beginning of the incident.
At this point, the outcome of Watkins’ legal situation remains uncertain, but the lifting of her academic and athletic suspension is promising news for both her and the South Carolina basketball team as they navigate this issue. A hearing is scheduled for Watkins in October.
Watkins had an impressive season in 2023-2024, earning All-SEC honors and is expected to have another standout year with the Gamecocks, pending the resolution of this incident. She is part of a talented frontcourt that includes junior Chloe Kitts, seniors Sania Feagin and Sakima Walker, transfer Maryam Dauda, and freshmen Joyce Edwards and Adhel Tac.
Notably, six of these seven players were five-star recruits coming out of high school, and five were named McDonald’s All-Americans. The two who did not participate in the all-star showcase, Kitts and Tac, enrolled early with the Gamecocks, missing their chance to be selected.
South Carolina Gamecocks news from the last week, including the first football game, basketball updates, and more.
The Gamecocks’ opening game of the 2024 season was far from pretty, but they managed to secure a 23-19 victory.
Following the match, head coach Shane Beamer described his team’s performance as “awful.”
Defensively, Kyle Kennard and Dylan Stewart stood out for the Gamecocks, with Stewart earning recognition as the National Freshman of the Week from 247Sports and the National Defensive Player of the Week from PFF. Additionally, Tonka Hemingway and Jalon Kilgore were named to PFF’s SEC Team of the Week.
South Carolina Gamecocks Injury Update.
In addition to the previously reported injuries to Zahbari Sandy, Jakai Moore, and Aaryn Parks, who are expected to miss a significant portion or all of the 2024 season, the Gamecocks were also without Emory Floyd, Elijah Davis, Elijah Caldwell, and Bryan Thomas Jr. in their season opener against Old Dominion.
Wide receiver Jared Brown left the game with a leg injury and did not return. Several other players, including Nyck Harbor, Vandrevius Jacobs, LaNorris Sellers, Boogie Huntley, and Dylan Stewart, sustained minor injuries during the game but were able to return after short breaks. Sellers and Harbor were hurt on third downs but came back in by the next possession.
Head coach Shane Beamer stated on Sunday night that none of the new injuries should impact the Gamecocks moving forward. However, he mentioned that he would provide more details when the SEC’s new mandatory injury report is released on Wednesday.
South Carolina basketball is “Post Player U,” and the Gamecocks aren’t stopping.
The South Carolina basketball program has earned the nickname “Post Player U.”
A’ja Wilson is regarded as the best player in the world, while Aliyah Boston has made the WNBA All-Star Game in both of her professional seasons. Kamilla Cardoso is recognized as one of the top young post defenders in the league. The current roster of Gamecocks is also exceptionally talented.
Looking ahead, the 2024-2025 edition of Dawn Staley’s South Carolina team boasts an impressive lineup in the paint. Last season, Ashlyn Watkins and Chloe Kitts shared the starting role at power forward, while veteran Sania Feagin is coming off her best season. Freshman Joyce Edwards, a multiple high school National Player of the Year, can play any frontcourt position, and 5-star freshman Adhel Tac, standing at 6’6″, has a playing style similar to Cardoso. Additionally, transfer Maryam Dauda brings versatility and is expected to be a significant contributor.
The Gamecocks are so rich in talent at the forward and center positions that Sakima Walker, the 2022-2023 Junior College National Player of the Year, is anticipated to be the fifth or sixth post player in the rotation.
While Coach Staley’s exact plans for utilizing her tall players remain unclear, there is no doubt that her frontcourt is among the deepest in the nation, giving her plenty of options.
Ashlyn Watkins, an All-SEC performer last year, is known for her defensive and rebounding skills. She is a candidate to lead the nation in blocked shots, showcasing her athleticism with multiple dunks during her college career, and is improving her offensive game.
*EDIT* On Saturday, Ashlyn Watkins was arrested and is facing charges related to assault and battery and kidnapping. Her legal situation, status with the University, and place on the South Carolina basketball team are currently uncertain.
Chloe Kitts stands out as the most refined returning offensive player among the bigs. She excels in scoring in the post, has a smooth mid-range shot, and is expanding her range to the perimeter. Kitts has excellent rebounding instincts and possesses enough ball-handling and passing skills to drive the offense if Coach Staley chooses to shift focus from the guards.
Senior Sania Feagin is a strong and agile player who can make an impact on both ends of the court. She has good footwork in her post moves and plays with intensity and aggression.
Joyce Edwards is set to join the Gamecocks’ rotation right away as a true freshman. As one of the top players in the high school class of 2024, she was initially recognized for her defensive prowess before becoming an unstoppable offensive force in her senior year. Her athleticism and length create matchup problems at any frontcourt position, making her utilization by Dawn Staley a key storyline for the upcoming season.
The tallest player on the roster is redshirt freshman Adhel Tac, a former 5-star recruit who enrolled early while recovering from a knee injury. If healthy, she could provide valuable size for rebounding and shot-blocking.
Maryam Dauda, transferring from the Arkansas Razorbacks, is another versatile forward expected to play a significant role for USC. She is a switchable defender with impressive shot-blocking instincts and adds athleticism along with mid-range and perimeter shooting.
Sakima Walker, one of the team’s leaders, joins Tac as one of the only players standing at least 6’5″. While her role may not be consistent, she will be a dependable option when called upon.
Each of these players has the potential to reach the WNBA, contributing to the Gamecocks’ strong post presence in the league. Gamecock legends A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, and Kamilla Cardoso rank among the top players in the WNBA for rebounding and blocked shots. Wilson is a frontrunner for the WNBA MVP, Boston is a candidate for the All-WNBA team, and Cardoso is likely to make the All-Rookie team and could be selected for the WNBA All-Defensive squad.
As the current group of South Carolina basketball stars transitions to the professional level, it will be no surprise if several of them make significant impacts in the WNBA.
The Gamecocks, including Watkins, Kitts, Feagin, Edwards, Tac, Dauda, Walker, and others, will kick off their season on November 4th in Las Vegas against the Michigan Wolverines as part of the Hall of Fame Series.
Team USA adds South Carolina basketball senior to World Cup roster.
The South Carolina basketball season is just under two months away, but fans of Dawn Staley’s team will have an opportunity to see a current Gamecock in action much sooner.
USC senior power forward Sania Feagin has been selected to represent Team USA at the U23 3×3 World Cup in Mongolia next week. From September 11th to 15th in Ulaanbaatar, Feagin will compete with her teammates for a chance at a gold medal.
Fans can watch Feagin and Team USA’s World Cup games streamed live on YouTube.
This isn’t Feagin’s first experience with Team USA; she was part of the U19 World Cup team that won a gold medal in 2021. However, this will be her debut in the 3×3 format.
Similar to pickup basketball, the 3×3 format scores points differently: shots made inside the arc are worth 1 point, while shots from beyond the arc are worth 2 points. This style of play may suit Feagin’s game well, as it allows her more space to operate in the post.
Last season, as a junior, Sania Feagin had her best performance as a Gamecock, averaging 6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, with a combined average of 0.6 blocks and 0.4 steals in just 15 minutes of play.
As she enters her senior year, Feagin is expected to play a significant role for Staley’s team. However, her exact position is uncertain due to the abundance of talent at the forward and center spots, especially with Ashlyn Watkins’ status being unclear following a recent arrest.
Feagin and the Gamecocks will kick off their 2024-2025 season on November 4th in Las Vegas against the Michigan Wolverines as part of the Hall of Fame Series.
South Carolina basketball legend Aliyah Boston has huge game, Fever keep winning.
The Indiana Fever are arguably the hottest team in the WNBA, and South Carolina basketball alumna Aliyah Boston is a significant contributor to their success. Alongside teammates Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, the Fever’s dynamic trio delivered another impressive performance on Wednesday night.
In a thrilling 93-86 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks, the trio combined for 66 points, 28 rebounds, 16 assists, and 4 steals, all while shooting over 50% from the field. Boston led the way with a game-high 24 points, tying with Clark, and also topped both teams in rebounding with 14 boards, alongside 4 assists and an efficient shooting performance of 10-16 from the floor.
According to statistics from acrossthetimeline.com, Boston’s outstanding performance places her among elite company. Before Wednesday, only Brittney Griner and Lisa Leslie had recorded multiple games in the same season with at least 20 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 60% shooting. Now, Boston has joined that exclusive group.
This season, Boston has achieved at least 13 rebounds in eight games and has scored 20 points in five games. Known for her passing ability among WNBA post players, she has also recently increased her assist numbers, recording at least 4 assists in 6 of her last 8 games. The Fever have won all six of those games. They are 4-1 when she scores 20 points and 6-2 when she grabs 13 rebounds. It’s fair to say that “as Aliyah Boston goes, so goes the Indiana Fever.”
Boston, Clark, Mitchell, and the Fever have made a remarkable turnaround, moving from last place in the standings in 2023 to the 6th seed currently. For South Carolina basketball fans eager to continue watching Boston, the Fever have secured a spot in the WNBA playoffs, meaning she will make her postseason debut later this month.
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