First impressions of South Carolina WBB’s two freshmen
Dawn Staley added two freshmen, Ayla McDowell and Agot Makeer, to the South Carolina women’s basketball roster this year.
The Gamecocks opened the 2025-26 season with their first official practice on Monday, and the early returns for the new players are promising.
“They’re pretty good,” Staley said.
Both Makeer and McDowell were top prospects in the Class of 2025. Makeer was the No. 6-ranked player in the country and McDowell was ranked No. 15, per espnW’s Top 100. They both finished their high school careers with McDonald’s All-American honors.
“They’re blending in,” Staley said. “They’re good listeners, that’s one. They are really good basketball players, really smart.”
McDowell and Agot were both listed as wings by various recruiting services and are now both listed as 6-foot-1 guards on South Carolina’s roster.
Staley praised Makeer’s versatility, ball handling and passing skills after she signed with the Gamecocks in April. After McDowell signed last October, Staley said McDowell has the ability to score at all three levels.
On Monday, Staley praised both of her new freshmen’s offensive capabilities.
“I think both of them can shoot the ball like they can really shoot the ball really impressively,” Staley said. “So I’m hoping that that holds true throughout the season. They’re not shy about shooting. They’re not shy about putting the ball, so I like that. They’re blending in nicely.”
What roles could Ayla McDowell and Agot Makeer have?
Both freshmen have experience playing international ball. McDowell played alongside former Gamecock Kamilla Cardoso in the FIBA AmeriCup this summer for the Brazilian national team and Makeer has played plenty for the Canadian national team.
Fifth-year point guard Raven Johnson echoed Staley’s praises of the two freshmen. Johnson specifically pointed out Makeer and McDowell’s mental abilities.
“They’re IQ for the game of basketball, I never seen it from a freshman, honestly,” Johnson said. “I think they are gelling with us really well. They learn really fast, so I’m glad to see that. But as freshmen they want to win, they want to learn, and that’s what you like to see from your freshman coming in.”
It’s not entirely clear what role McDowell and Makeer will have in their first year with South Carolina. Staley and the Gamecocks will likely rely on their top guards in Johnson, highly touted Florida State transfer Ta’Niya Latson and Tessa Johnson.
Returning sophomore Maddy McDaniel projects to be the first guard off the bench in 2025-26, but the departure of MiLaysia Fulwiley leaves some bench minutes up for grabs for the freshmen.
This story was originally published September 24, 2025 at 8:00 AM.
