Who's coming, who's going, who's returning for South Carolina women's basketball
It's been a whirlwind start to the offseason for South Carolina women's basketball — star forward A'ja Wilson was selected No. 1 overall in the WNBA draft, two guards transferred from the program and coach Dawn Staley secured a late flip for the incoming freshman class.
Things aren't over yet, either — there are still several high-profile transfers on the market, and there's one Gamecock who hasn't officially confirmed she'll be back next season. Depending on whether she is or not, USC still has as four or five scholarships it can offer of the 15 allowed under NCAA rules, though Staley typically has used fewer than that.
Here's where things stand now. All classes listed are for the 2018-2019 season.
Returning
Tyasha Harris — junior guard
Bianca Jackson — sophomore guard
Doniyah Cliney — redshirt senior guard
Te'a Cooper — redshirt junior guard
Mikiah Herbert Harrigan — junior forward
Lele Grissett — sophomore forward
LaDazhia Williams — sophomore forward
Unknown
Alexis Jennings — redshirt senior forward
Jennings announced after USC's Elite Eight loss to Connecticut that she was unsure whether she would return or leave the program. As a transfer, she has played one season with the Gamecocks, but as a veteran player at a thin position, she would be practically guaranteed a roster spot if she comes back.
The Kentucky transfer skipped the WNBA draft, which would seem to indicate she plans to spend another season in college, but she has yet to officially confirm that, and at the Gamecock Gala this past Monday, she was nowhere to be found in social media posts of the rest of the team.
Incoming
Destanni Henderson — freshman guard
The No. 6 recruit in her class and the top point guard in the nation, Henderson benefited this offseason from a few transfers that will clear USC's logjam at guard and give her a better chance of playing quality minutes.
Elysa Wesolek — freshman forward
The late addition to the class of 2018, Wesolek announced her commitment to the Gamecocks on April 16 after previously signing with Western Kentucky. After a coaching change, the Lady Toppers released Wesolek to reopen her commitment, and she officially signed with South Carolina soon after.
Victaria Saxton — freshman forward
Saxton is the No. 47 recruit in her class and the sixth-best forward. She signed with South Carolina during the early signing period, and given her reputation as a shot-blocker, she could easily work her way into a key backup role, especially if Jennings doesn't return.
Outgoing
Lindsey Spann — guard, graduated
A'ja Wilson — forward, graduated
Bianca Cuevas-Moore — guard, transferred
The redshirt senior missed all of 2017-2018 with an ACL injury, and rather than compete with four or five other guards for limited playing time, she departed for West Virginia as a graduate transfer on April 11.
Victoria Patrick — guard, transferred
The lightly used junior spent two seasons mostly riding the bench at South Carolina, so it was not shocking when on April 17 she announced she was transferring closer to her Orlando, Florida, hometown to attend North Florida.
Known Targets
Amber Ramirez — guard, transfer
A former top-15 recruit out of high school, Ramirez has spent the past two seasons at TCU. Her former AAU coach, Ray Caldwell, confirmed to The State on April 18 that USC has "expressed interest" in landing the transfer from San Antonio, Texas.
Anriel Howard — forward, graduate transfer
One of the SEC's top rebounders last season, Howard was a force in the paint for Texas A&M but announced this offseason that she would graduate in three years and potentially transfer and play right away somewhere else. Both The State and 247Sports have confirmed South Carolina is a finalist for her services.
This story was originally published April 24, 2018 at 2:00 PM with the headline "Who's coming, who's going, who's returning for South Carolina women's basketball."