What Dawn Staley said about Maddy McDaniel’s suspension for South Carolina
South Carolina women’s basketball announced a suspension of sophomore guard Maddy McDaniel just over an hour before the Gamecocks tipped off against Clemson on Tuesday.
The team posted the following statement on X ahead the game: “Maddy McDaniel will not be at tonight’s game. She has been suspended.”
South Carolina was ultimately able to beat Clemson without McDaniel. The Gamecocks’ 65-37 victory extended its win streak over Clemson to 15 games.
Afterward, head coach Dawn Staley was asked if McDaniel would be available to play in South Carolina’s next game Saturday against Southern Cal.
“Doubt it,” Staley responded.
Staley was then asked if McDaniel will be able to return this season. She declined to provide a return date.
Instead, Staley made it seem like McDaniel’s suspension is indefinite and that the sophomore’s return is in her own hands.
“That’s on her,” Staley said. “We’ll evaluate it every day.”
Staley declined to share the reasoning for McDaniel’s suspension.
McDaniel’s indefinite absence leaves an already thin South Carolina roster with even less depth. The Gamecocks will have just nine healthy players available without her.
This means South Carolina’s trio of starting guards — Raven Johnson, Ta’Niya Latson and Tessa Johnson — will likely carry more weight. All played more than 30 minutes against Clemson, and each recorded a season high in minutes played in the game.
It also means true freshman guards Agot Makeer and Ayla McDowell are in line to receive more bench minutes and increased responsibility.
McDaniel has played in just one this season. She left the Gamecocks’ season opener against Grand Canyon early with an injury. McDaniel did not play in South Carolina’s game against Bowling Green on Friday and was wearing a brace on her right knee while on the bench.
She was not present for Tuesday night’s game.
Coming into this season, McDaniel was expected to be the first off the bench for South Carolina and be the second unit’s point guard. As a freshman, McDaniel averaged 11 minutes of play in 30 games while scoring 3.1 points per game.
This story was originally published November 11, 2025 at 8:57 PM.
