Why South Carolina WBB is new No. 1 in ESPN’s updated Top 25 for next season

After South Carolina’s 82-59 loss to UConn in the national championship in early April, ESPN slotted the Gamecocks as the No. 2 team in its Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings for the 2025-26 season.

That is no longer the case.

Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks moved up to the No. 1 spot in the latest projected rankings that were published Tuesday.

The difference maker in ESPN’s eyes? South Carolina’s acquisitions in the transfer portal, specifically Florida State guard Ta’Niya Latson.

“Latson is the best backcourt scorer Dawn Staley has ever had in Columbia and provides the dimension that this season’s team lacked: a bona fide go-to bucket getter,” ESPN’S Charlie Creme wrote alongside his new rankings.

Creme noted that the departure of MiLaysia Fulwiley via the portal “hurts” but the addition of Latson is a “net positive” for the Gamecocks.

Latson led all Division I players in scoring this season with 25.2 points per game. The junior was a three-year starter at Florida State and earned All-ACC honors in each year of her career. Latson shot 45.1% from the field and 34.3% from 3-point range. She reunites with high school teammate Raven Johnson in Columbia.

“With Raven Johnson back at the point and Tessa Johnson as a third guard, Staley has backcourt players who complement each other to go with the talented frontcourt of Chloe Kitts and Joyce Edwards that should also be bolstered by the return of Ashlyn Watkins from a knee injury,” Creme said.

Creme did not mention the Gamecocks’ latest transfer portal addition in his rankings, though that likely boils down to timing. Former Mississippi State forward Madina Okot signed with South Carolina on Tuesday, a few hours after the rankings were published. The 6-foot-6 center averaged averaged 11.3 points and 9.6 rebounds for the Bulldogs and immediately brings depth to the post for the Gamecocks.

South Carolina replaced UCLA as No. 1 one in ESPN’s latest way-too-early poll. The Bruins slipped in the rankings after losing several players to the transfer portal. The Gamecocks remain ahead of UConn, who moved up to No. 2.

ESPN’s latest Way-Too-Early Top 25

1. South Carolina
2. UConn
3. UCLA
4. Texas
5. LSU
6. Oklahoma
7. Tennessee
8. Duke
   
   
9. NC State
10. North Carolina
11. Vanderbilt
12. Maryland
13. Ole Miss
14. Iowa State
15. Michigan
16. Baylor
17. Louisville
18. Notre Dame
19. Southern Cal
20. Richmond
21. Oklahoma State
22. Iowa
23. Michigan State
24. Washington
25. Princeton

This story was originally published April 23, 2025 at 1:00 PM.

Michael Sauls

The State

Michael Sauls is The State’s South Carolina women’s basketball reporter. He previously worked at The Virginian-Pilot covering Norfolk State and Hampton University sports. A Columbia native, he is an alum of the University of South Carolina.