South Carolina women's basketball previews 2025-26 roster

South Carolina women’s basketball faces big changes for the 2025-26 season.

MiLaysia Fulwiley, one of the SEC’s top bench scorers, heads to rival LSU. Dawn Staley quickly reloaded by landing Ta’Niya Latson, the nation’s leading scorer from Florida State, who reunites in the backcourt with returning USC leader Raven Johnson.

The Gamecocks also added versatile post Madina Okot from Mississippi State and welcomed highly ranked freshmen Ayla McDowell and Agot Makeer. Fans can expect Staley to mix veteran transfers and young McDonald’s All-Americans for a retooled lineup packed with new firepower.

University of South Carolina Head Coach Dawn Staley answers questions during a press conference after the Gamecocks lost to the University of Connecticut for the NCAA National Championship at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. on Sunday, April 6, 2025. By Tracy Glantz

NO. 1: SOUTH CAROLINA COACH DAWN STALEY TEASES GAMECOCKS’ TRANSFER PORTAL PLAN

“There’s some things in the works that will make our team better.” | Published April 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chapel Fowler

South Carolina’s Raven Johnson (25) answers questions in the Gamecocks locker room. The Gamecocks play Indiana on Friday, March 29, 2024. By Tracy Glantz

NO. 2: RAVEN JOHNSON ANNOUNCES DECISION ON HER SOUTH CAROLINA FUTURE

Time to run it back? | Published April 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Sauls

Ta’Niya Latson 00, LSU Tigers take on Florida State in the second round of the NCAA Womens Basketball Tournament in Baton Rouge, LA. Monday, March 24, 2025. By SCOTT CLAUSE

NO. 3: TRANSFER GUARD TA’NIYA LATSON, NATION’S NO. 1 SCORER, COMMITS TO SOUTH CAROLINA

This is a major roster addition for Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks. | Published April 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Sauls

Mississippi State Bulldogs center Madina Okot (15) By Robert Hanashiro

NO. 4: SEC TRANSFER FORWARD MADINA OKOT SIGNS WITH DAWN STALEY, SOUTH CAROLINA

She had 12 double-doubles this season and immediately becomes the tallest player on the USC roster. | Published April 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Sauls

From March 12, 2021: Westlake players Raven Johnson (25) and Ta’Niya Latson (20) celebrate their victory over Carrollton during the 2021 GHSA State Basketball Class 6A Girls Championship game at the Macon Centreplex in Macon. By Hyosub Shin

NO. 5: RAVEN JOHNSON, TA’NIYA LATSON PRIMED FOR ‘SPECIAL’ REUNION WITH GAMECOCKS

“They’re just like they’re joined at the hip, almost like sisters. They’re so in tune to what each other can do.” | Published April 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Sauls

University of South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley (12)weaves between Texas’ Justice Carlton (11) and Texas’ Madison Booker (35) during the first half of action in the Colonial Life Arena on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. By Tracy Glantz

NO. 6: MILAYSIA FULWILEY SHARES GOODBYE MESSAGE TO SC AS SHE ENTERS TRANSFER PORTAL

“Most importantly, thank you to the FAMS for embracing me and supporting me over the past two years.” | Published April 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Sauls

University of South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley (12) practices at the Amalie Arena in Tampa Florida on Thursday, April 3, 2025. The Gamecocks play Texas in the semifinal round of the NCAA Tournament. By Tracy Glantz

NO. 7: IT’S LSU FOR MILAYSIA FULWILEY: GAMECOCK TRANSFER TO JOIN KIM MULKEY’S TIGERS

The news makes next season’s matchup between the two SEC powerhouses that much more interesting. | Published April 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Sauls

McDonald’s All American East wing Agot Makeer (1) shoots the ball during the Sprite Jam Fest on March 31 at Barclay’s Center. By Pamela Smith

NO. 8: AGOT MAKEER IS OFFICIALLY A GAMECOCK. 3 THINGS TO KNOW

The 6-foot-1 wing signed with the Gamecocks on Thursday. | Published April 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Sauls

South Carolina’s Sakima Walker (35) during the second half of action in the Colonial Life Arena on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. By Tracy Glantz

NO. 9: FORMER GAMECOCKS WBB PLAYER SAKIMA WALKER TRANSFERRING TO ACC SCHOOL

The veteran forward played two seasons in Columbia. | Published April 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chapel Fowler

Indiana Fever forward Natasha Howard (6) goes up for a basket in the lane against Brazilian National Team forward Ayla McDowell (5) on Sunday, May 4, 2025, during a preseason game between the Indiana Fever and the Brazil national team at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. By Grace Smith/IndyStar

NO. 10: FUTURE GAMECOCK AYLA MCDOWELL ALREADY HAS EXPERIENCE FACING WNBA PROS

Yes, she was a little starstruck. “I was like, ‘Oh, wow. Caitlin Clark is guarding me. That’s crazy.’ ” | Published May 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Sauls

South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley (12) speaks with guard Raven Johnson (25) during the second half of the Gamecocks’ game at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia on Saturday, December 16, 2023. By Sam Wolfe

NO. 11: GAMECOCKS WBB ROSTER IS CHANGING. LET’S PROJECT WHO STARTS NEXT SEASON

MiLaysia Fulwiley is going. Ta’Niya Latson is coming. Raven Johnson is staying. | Published April 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Sauls

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.